Tue 4-February-2025

Disappearance of Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem for the 2nd year amid Gaza’s genocide

Wednesday 25-December-2024

BETHLEHEM, (PIC)

For the second consecutive year, the city of Bethlehem in the southern West Bank is commemorating Christmas this year without the usual festive displays, mourning for Gaza amidst the ongoing Israeli genocide that has persisted for nearly 15 months.

The city and the Church of the Nativity, believed to be built over the cave where Jesus Christ was born, are devoid of any celebratory features, replaced instead by prayers and calls for an end to the war.

At this time each year, the streets, alleys, and churches of the city would be adorned for Christmas, with one of the most beautiful Christmas trees in the world set up in the famous “Nativity Church” square, amid a bustling tourist scene.

Palestinians express their sadness that the genocide perpetrated by Israel in Gaza and the West Bank has made their lives miserable and stole the joy of Christmas. They indicate that this year’s rituals will be limited to religious ceremonies and family visits.

Since Tuesday morning, Christians from Bethlehem and dozens of foreign pilgrims have begun praying in the Church of the Nativity, which appeared almost empty, unlike usual, as the Nativity Square is typically crowded with tourists and pilgrims from around the world.

Prayers for peace
The pastor of the Orthodox community in the city, Issa Thaljiyeh, stated that Bethlehem this year is “sad and gloomy,” unlike previous years, due to the ongoing Israeli genocide. He added, “Our message to the world, despite the pain, difficulties, and war, is that the Palestinian Christ raises prayers during the holiday so that peace, love, and mercy may prevail, as from Bethlehem the message of love and peace spread to the world.”

Thaljiyeh urged Palestinian Christians to remain steadfast in their sacred land, saying, “This piece of land is unmatched, a holy place, and all the world’s eyes turn to it, especially during these days.” He said, “Our brothers and fellow citizens in Gaza live under destruction, killing, cold, and thirst, suffering greatly to survive. Our message to them is one of patience, peace, and hope; we pray for them during these days, hoping that the coming days will be better and that they can join us here in Bethlehem to celebrate the holiday together.”

A grim picture
For his part, Bethlehem’s mayor, Antoine Salman, described this year’s holiday atmosphere as “gloomy” in light of the war afflicting Palestine. He said, “The message of Christmas hasn’t changed since Christ was born—a message of love, but we pray for our people.”

Salman added, “Bethlehem decided to celebrate the holiday without festive displays, limiting it to prayers and religious rituals, and prayers for lifting the injustice on our people and ending their suffering.” He continued, “We see that Bethlehem should present the world with a grim image of the reality in Palestine through the absence of decorations, Christmas trees, and events, so that the human conscience worldwide would move to end the suffering of the Palestinian people and to end the occupation, achieving just and comprehensive peace.”

Salman pointed to the economic conditions in Bethlehem, saying, “Bethlehem’s economy is in shambles; due to the situation, many families have not provided clothing or Christmas gifts for their children. We live in a state of oppression.”

Economic losses
The spokesperson for the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism, Jreis Qumsiyah, told Anadolu, “The global capital of Christmas (Bethlehem) is sad and gloomy, with celebrations this year limited to religious rituals.” He added, “This year there are no tourist delegations or pilgrims due to the destructive war waged by Israel on our people.”

Qumsiyah continued, “Bethlehem is suffering from a significant economic recession, with hotel bookings this year at only 3 percent.” He estimated the losses to Bethlehem due to the war at between $1 million and $1.5 million daily, with total losses since October 7, 2023, reaching around $1 billion.

The celebrations of Christian denominations following the Western calendar peak with a midnight mass on Tuesday/Wednesday (December 24/25) at the Church of the Nativity, while those following the Eastern calendar celebrate on January 7.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with U.S. support, has been committing genocide in Gaza, resulting in over 153,000 Palestinian martyrs and injured, most of them children and women, and more than 11,000 missing, amid massive destruction and famine that have killed dozens of children and the elderly.

In parallel to the genocide, the Israeli army and settlers have intensified their attacks on Palestinians and their properties in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, leading to the martyrdom of 825 Palestinians, wounding about 6,500, and the arrest of 12,100 others.

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