Santa Protester Tear-Gassed in Clashes With Israeli Soldiers

Palestinian protesters demonstrating near Bethlehem were tear gassed by Israeli troops Tuesday afternoon and had to be carried away to safety.

There were a number of Santa hats worn at the Tuesday protest, and 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.