Christmas celebrations in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem were subdued this year, with no festive decorations adorning the Church of the Nativity. For Palestinians like Jerusalem resident Hisham Makhoul, spending Christmas in Bethlehem provided a rare “escape” from the ongoing war in Gaza.
Makhoul said the situation is “very difficult” for Palestinians, who are separated from Gaza by Israeli territory. He attended Christmas festivities in central Bethlehem, where children sang carols and vendors sold nougat and shawarma. However, banners with sombre messages like “We want life, not death” and “Stop the Gaza genocide now!” highlighted the contrast between joy and suffering.
For Christians in the Holy Land, prayer offers solace and hope for a better future. The mayor of Bethlehem, Anton Salman, said prayers would be offered to end suffering and bring peace. Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who led mass in Gaza on Sunday, urged Palestinians not to give up in the face of adversity.
As hopes for a ceasefire in Gaza rise, Bethlehem residents wait anxiously for calm that could see tourists return by 2025. For tourists like Christiana von der Tann, even brief moments of violence can be unsettling. Despite this, she found solace in the city’s resilience and hope for a brighter future.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/sombre-christmas-bethlehem-escape-war-191959156.html