Turf war at Bethlehem church ends in fisticuffs

28 Dec, 2007 11:04 / Updated 16 years ago

A post-Christmas clean-up ended in a scuffle at the historic Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. It's reported the fight broke out after Greek Orthodox believers stepped into the Armenian section of the Church.

The church built over the crypt where it's believed Jesus was born is administered jointly by Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic authorities. Priests and cleaners came to the church on Thursday to tidy it up after Christmas celebrations on the December 25. A scuffle broke out after Greek Orthodox believers stepped inside the Armenian section of the building. Four people were slightly injured. Palestinian police, armed with batons and shields, quickly formed a human cordon to separate the two sides.