Santa spreads festive cheers in desolate Jerusalem

The Middle East’s only accredited Santa Claus rose from his armchair to see if there were any visitors outside his grotto, copper-coloured bells jingling as he stood. Usually, there would be crowds of young families waiting in line to meet him at the Santa House in Jerusalem, but these days, with war raging in Gaza, there is little sign of festive cheer in the Old City. This year, for the first time in recent memory barring the height of the Covid pandemic, the bustling Old City stands eerily empty, its shops and cafes dormant behind shutters. #Santa #jerusalem #camel Subscribe to The Telegraph with our special offer: just £1 for 3 months. Start your free trial now: Get the latest headlines: and are websites of The Telegraph, the UK'