Jerusalem and Bethlehem's first Christmas apart in 2,000 years

For the first time since the birth of Jesus, Palestinians in Bethlehem and Jerusalem will spend Christmas separated from each other by roadblocks, settlements and illegal walls.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas gave his Christmas message on Wednesday, asking the world to save Palestinians from Israeli bullets and barbed wire.

It comes as two more Palestinians were shot dead in Jerusalem.

Abbas said Palestinians in the West Bank would celebrate Christmas cut off from the world by a seperation wall, surrounded by illegal settlements, and by Israel troops who are "taking over our land".

Abbas said this makes Christmas this year particularly difficult for Palestinians, as the holy cities of Bethlehem and Jerusalem are seperated from each other for the first time in 2,000 years.

"Jesus is a symbol for all Palestinians. Palestine and its people take pride in being the birthplace of Christianity and having the oldest Christian community in the world," Abbas said during his Christmas message.

He also said that Israel is continuing to uproot Palestine's famed and "historic" olive trees.

Abbas used the festive season to remind the world of the plight of Syrians and other refugees, who like Jesus will spend the holiday season on the run - unwelcomed and persecuted

Abbas used the festive season to remind the world of the plight of Syrians and other refugees, who like Jesus will spend the holiday season on the run - unwelcomed and persecuted.

"We express our solidarity with the peoples who have been affected by their evil actions, and particularly with the millions of refugees who were forced to leave their homes in search of safety," he added.

Israel continues to occupy Palestinian territories in the West Bank, despite the siezure of land breaking numberous international laws.