Santa took longer than he bargained for getting into Bethlehem today.
Like everyone crossing from nearby Jerusalem to the Palestinian-ruled West Bank city where Christians believe Jesus was born, Santa Claus had to make his way up the long queue of cars at the no-nonsense Israeli military checkpoint.
"I don't think they knew they were holding up Santa Claus," said the man in the white acrylic beard and red costume, who in this case is usually known as Philip Kelly from Colorado.
The American, dressed at the time in sneakers and a leather jacket, ended up getting to Bethlehem after his helpers, though still in time to change into traditional costume and hand out Christmas gifts to 130 Palestinian children.
Israel says it has imposed closures on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, setting up army roadblocks and checkpoints, as a security measure after suicide bombings that killed scores of Israelis.
Palestinians say the closures are a collective punishment for their 15-month uprising against Israeli rule in which at least 790 Palestinians and 233 Israelis have been killed.
Palestinians are only able to leave Bethlehem for Jerusalem, about 10 minutes drive away, if they have special papers that many often complain they cannot get.