Unlike previous years, Bethlehem in the southern occupied West Bank was not decorated with a Christmas tree or lights of joy. Rather, today, Tuesday, it lived Christmas Eve in an atmosphere of sadness in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, where innocent lives have been subjected to genocide for more than a year.
An unusual calm descended on Manger Square in the heart of the city of Bethlehem, the birthplace of the Prophet Jesus, peace be upon him, while Palestinian security forces deployed around the Church of the Nativity, whose square was almost empty.
For the second year in a row, Christmas decorations and crowds of tourists and pilgrims were absent, reflecting the gloomy atmosphere in light of the continuing war on the Gaza Strip.
The Mayor of Bethlehem, Antoun Salman, spoke to the Palestinian News Agency (Wafa) about his decision not to put up the Christmas tree this year, saying, “It was difficult for us to celebrate in the midst of this tragedy. Bethlehem is not separate from Gaza, and we wanted to express the unity of the situation between For all Palestinians, Eid for us this year is a prayer for the souls of the martyrs and a hope that this injustice will end.”
As for the Governor of Bethlehem, Muhammad Taha Abu Alia, he stressed that the conditions in Bethlehem reflect the entire Palestinian reality, stressing that it is his responsibility to work to secure the appropriate atmosphere for religious rituals, but he knows that distress exists in every home, according to what Wafa reported.
“The city is sad”
The celebration of Christmas will be limited to religious rituals, as midnight mass will be organized in the church in the presence of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa.
The procession of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem arrived in Bethlehem from occupied Jerusalem to preside over the midnight mass on the occasion of Christmas according to the Western calendar, according to what Wafa confirmed.
The agency quoted the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem as confirming in a speech upon his arrival that Christmas this year carries a message of love and peace at a time when there is a great need to end wars and establish justice and human dignity, as for the second year Bethlehem has witnessed a sad Christmas, the shops are closed and the city is sad. .
He pointed out that he visited Gaza yesterday, and saw the comprehensive destruction, but at the same time he noted “the strong will of the Palestinian people who will not surrender to all the destruction and devastation,” indicating that the Palestinians belong to the light and not to the darkness.
Absence of tourism
The city of Bethlehem is experiencing difficult conditions, like other cities, towns, villages and camps in Palestine, due to the continuous Israeli attacks since October 7, 2023, which have affected the city’s economy as a result of the absence of tourists.
Youssef Nasser, the owner of a small shop near the Church of the Nativity, told the Palestinian News Agency, “This Eid is different. The shop was crowded with visitors and tourists on days like these, but now the streets are almost empty. My heart is with Gaza, but I came today to participate in the mass, and to pray.” May this be the last of sorrows.”
The Israeli army deploys its checkpoints around the city, restricting movement and preventing Palestinians from other cities from visiting it.
