BETHLEHEM, (PIC)
Since Saturday morning, prayers have been held at the Church of the Nativity in the city of Bethlehem, south of the West Bank, in celebration of Christmas for the Eastern Christian denominations. Participants expressed their sadness over what is happening in the Gaza Strip and offered prayers for those affected.
Christian individuals, in statement to Anadolu Agency, said that this year’s Christmas is a sad one due to the ongoing destructive Israeli war on the Gaza Strip since October 7th of last year. They pray for the children of Gaza and for peace.
This year, the celebrations in Bethlehem are unusual, as the city, which is considered the holiest Christian religious site in the world, lacks any festive decorations or Christmas trees.
During this time every year, Bethlehem used to be filled with Christian pilgrims and tourists who visit the city to celebrate Christmas. Festivities would take place, and the Christmas tree, one of the most important Christmas trees of the year, would be lit.
The alleyways of the old town and the walls of the Church of Nativity, the most important church for Christians worldwide, are devoid of any decorations and festive atmosphere.
The usually bustling Manger Square, where the Christmas tree is traditionally erected, appears nearly empty except for the local residents.
Bethlehem is a historic city located in the southern West Bank, and it derives its sanctity from the presence of the Church of the Nativity, where Christians believe Jesus, the son of Mary, was born.
“We didn’t feel the Christmas spirit,” says Mrs. Latifa Da’is, a Christian from Jerusalem, to Anadolu Agency after performing her prayers at the Church of the Nativity. “There is no joy due to the overall atmosphere and situation. We cannot celebrate while others are dying in Gaza and the West Bank. We celebrate Christmas through prayers and religious rituals without any festive expressions.”
She added, “What is happening today is a crime against our Palestinian people.”
Da’is said, “The message of Christmas is love and peace, and we are in the land of peace today, but there is no peace. Everything that is happening contradicts peace and love.”
The lady sent a message to the world, saying, “This amount of killing and destruction is enough.”
We pray for Gaza
“We pray today for Gaza, for an end to the war, killing, and the flow of blood,” said Christian Jack Isa to Anadolu Agency.
He added, “In Gaza, Palestinians are being killed indiscriminately, regardless of their age or religion. Anyone who is Palestinian is killed. Bethlehem is under siege, like the rest of the cities in the West Bank.”
Isa continued, “Bethlehem today is without pilgrims and tourists, and there is no sign of the holiday spirit. Sadness prevails.”
Sad holiday
Mayor of Bethlehem, Hanna Hanania, said in a previous interview with Anadolu Agency, “Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity are living in sorrow and anger today. Our message is to reject the ongoing genocidal war in the Gaza Strip and the attempt to displace its inhabitants.”
He added, “Bethlehem is sad today. There is no joy. We decided not to decorate the city, and for the first time, Bethlehem is without a Christmas tree.”
Hanania pointed out that “the churches in Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity, the birthplace of Jesus, are praying today and on Christmas for the children of Gaza who are being killed and burned by Israel.”
He added, “From the birthplace of Christ, we send a message to the world to stop this war, the war of genocide.”
Since October 7th, the Israeli army has been waging a destructive war on the Gaza Strip, resulting in 22,722 martyrs and 58,166 injured, mostly children and women, and causing immense destruction to infrastructure and an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.
