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 ...

Inside this ancient stone home, it’s all about Christmas, Holy Land style, as visualized by Issa Kassissieh, 39, a former professional basketball player who doubles as the Jerusalem Santa.

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.

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 ...

(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 ...

JERUSALEM - On a quiet Friday morning in the Old City of Jerusalem, Issa Kassissieh darted around the basement of the Al Ma’mal Foundation for Contemporary Art. “Here were the different pots ...

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 ...

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 ...