Seven years ago, one resident, Issa Kassissieh, transformed the ground floor of his 700-year-old home into a grotto, complete with candy, mulled wine and a chance to sit on Santa’s lap.

Issa Kassissieh (Israel Story) It’s a sad Christmas Eve in Jesus’ homeland. The alleyways of Jerusalem’s Old City, the streets of Nazareth, the churches of Bethlehem – all usually bustling ...

Issa Kassissieh touches a photo of the late Pope Francis, which he placed in Jerusalem’s Old City following news of the pontiff’s death at age 88, on Monday, April 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Maya ...

Dec. 19 (UPI) --Issa Kassissieh, a Christian Arab, made his appearance as Santa Claus in Jerusalem for the 15th consecutive year as he says he hopes to relieve some stress in a land at war.

Jerusalem's local Santa Claus, Issa Kassissieh, on Tuesday sent Christmas greetings to the world from a hot air balloon above the Old City. Kassissieh does this annually at places across Israel.

(Credit: Ali Mahmoud/AP.) Listen ROME – Palestinian Ambassador to the Holy See, Issa Kassissieh, on Monday met with a top Vatican official about the ongoing war in Gaza, stressing the need for ...

(Credit: AP Photo.) Listen [Editor’s Note: This is the second part of a two-part interview with Issa J. Kassissieh, Ambassador of Palestine to the Holy See and to the Sovereign Order of Malta.] ...

Israeli-Arab Issa Kassissieh, wearing a Santa Claus costume, holds a small tree and a bell during the annual Christmas tree distribution by the Jerusalem municipality in Jerusalem's Old City ...

A look at the best news photos from around the world. 1 Issa Kassissieh, dressed as Santa Claus, sits astride a camel as he visits an olive grove overlooking the Dome of the Rock on Al-Aqsa ...

Issa Kassissieh, wearing a Santa Claus costume, rides a camel during the annual Christmas tree distribution by the Jerusalem municipality in Jerusalem's Old City December 21, 2017 (photo credit ...