Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus Christ, within the occupied West Bank, noticed Christmas with out its customary festive shows for the second consecutive 12 months as a consequence of Israel’s lethal battle on the Gaza Strip.
The metropolis, together with the Church of the Nativity, believed to be constructed on the grotto the place Jesus Christ was born, lacks any celebratory ambiance. Instead, prayers and requires an finish to the Israeli battle on Gaza have changed the standard festivities.
Typically, presently of 12 months, Bethlehem’s streets, alleys, and church buildings are adorned with Christmas decorations, with one of many world’s most stunning Christmas bushes erected in Manger Square close to the well-known church. The metropolis additionally often bustles with vacationers throughout the vacation season.
But for the second 12 months, the Israeli battle on Gaza, which has killed over 45,300 folks since final 12 months, has dimmed the Christmas celebrations within the metropolis and stolen the enjoyment from its residents.
This 12 months’s Christmas celebrations within the metropolis had been restricted to spiritual rituals and household visits.
Prayers for peace
On Tuesday, Bethlehem’s Christians, together with dozens of international pilgrims, prayed on the Church of the Nativity, which stays almost empty in comparison with its traditional crowded state on Christmas Eve, when the sq. would usually be stuffed with vacationers and worshippers from all over the world.
Issa Thaljieh, pastor of the Greek Orthodox group in Bethlehem, described the town as “sad and gloomy” this 12 months as a result of ongoing Israeli battle.
Palestinian scouts elevate placards as they partake within the yearly Christmas procession towards the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem city within the Israel-occupied West Bank, Palestine, Dec. 24, 2024. (AFP Photo)
“Our message to the world, regardless of the ache, difficulties, and battle, is that the Palestinian Christ raises prayers throughout Christmas for peace, love, and mercy to prevail. From Bethlehem, the message of affection and peace spreads to the world,” Thaljieh instructed.
He urged Palestinian Christians to stay steadfast on their sacred land.
“This piece of land is unlike any other; it is a holy place, and the eyes of the world are focused on it, especially during these days,” he mentioned.
“Our brothers and fellow residents in Gaza reside underneath destruction, dying, chilly, and thirst, enduring immense struggling to outlive. Our message to them is one in all endurance, peace, and hope,” Thaljieh mentioned.
“We pray for them throughout nowadays, hoping that higher days are forward and that they will be part of us right here in Bethlehem to have fun Christmas collectively.”
A customer prays on the Grotto contained in the Church of the Nativity forward of Christmas, within the occupied West Bank metropolis of Bethlehem, Palestine, Dec. 24, 2024. (EPA Photo)
Grim image
Bethlehem Mayor Anton Salman described this 12 months’s Christmas ambiance as “grim” in mild of the continued battle in Gaza.
“The message of Christmas has not modified since Christ was born, it’s a message of affection,” Salman mentioned.
“Bethlehem has determined to mark Christmas with out festive shows, limiting celebrations to prayers, spiritual rituals, and supplications to finish the struggling and injustice in opposition to our folks.
“We consider Bethlehem ought to convey to the world at this time a grim image of the truth in Palestine via the absence of decorations, Christmas bushes, and occasions, in hopes of awakening the world’s conscience to work towards ending the struggling of the Palestinian folks, ending the occupation, and reaching a simply and complete peace,” Salman added.
The mayor mentioned that Palestinians in Bethlehem reside in dire financial circumstances.
“Economically, Bethlehem is collapsing. Due to this example, many households had been unable to supply Christmas garments or items for his or her kids. We reside in a state of anguish,” Salman lamented.
Economic losses
Jeries Qumsieh, spokesperson for the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism, known as this 12 months’s Christmas celebrations somber and gloomy, with celebrations restricted to spiritual rituals.
“This 12 months, there are not any vacationer delegations or pilgrims as a result of devastating battle Israel is waging in opposition to our folks,” Qumsieh mentioned.
“Bethlehem is affected by a big financial downturn, with resort bookings at solely 3% this 12 months,” he added.
Qumsieh estimated Bethlehem’s day by day losses as a result of Israeli battle at $1 to $1.5 million.
Since the Israeli battle on Gaza on Oct.7, 2023, the town’s whole losses have reached roughly $1 billion, he added.
Christian communities following the Western calendar mark the height of their celebrations with midnight Mass on Dec. 25. Communities following the Eastern calendar will have fun Christmas on Jan. 7.
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