— -- Palestinian protesters demonstrating near Bethlehem, some in Santa grab, were tear gassed by Israeli troops Tuesday afternoon.
One man wearing a Santa suit was carried away by a medic and others.
One sign read: "We want Christmas without Occupation."
An Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson described the confrontation to ABC News.
"A group of approximately 80 Palestinians threw rocks at the checkpoint, the soldiers posted there responded with means of crowd control," the spokesperson said.
A Palestinian protestors demonstrate against Israeli settlements during Christmas, near a checkpoint in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Dec. 23, 2014.
Mussa Qawasma/Reuters
