Priests and monks fight with brooms at church

Palestinian police entered the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem after rival groups of Orthodox and Armenian clerics began fighting. The clergy members were initially arguing over their respective jurisdictions within the church, but afterwards over 100 Greek Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic priests and monks armed themselves with broomsticks. The fight took place when the clergymen were cleaning the church in prepartion for Orthodox Christmas Celebrations (Old Christmas on January 7th). The Palestinian police broke up the fighting with batons and shields. Administration of the church is shared by Catholic, Orthodox, and Armenian Apostolic clerics.