Chicago – December 24, 2024
Bethlehem, the city in the occupied West Bank known as the birthplace of Jesus Christ, is observing a quiet and solemn Christmas this year as the conflict in Gaza casts a heavy shadow.
On Tuesday, Christmas Eve lacked the usual cheer in the city. Manger Square, typically decorated with lights and a giant Christmas tree, stood bare. There were no crowds of tourists, no festive youth marching bands, and no holiday celebrations.
While prayers, including the famous midnight mass at the Church of the Nativity, will still take place with the Catholic Church’s Latin Patriarch, the mood is far from joyful.
Palestinian scouts marched silently through the streets, a stark contrast to their usual lively brass band performances. Some held signs reading, “We want life, not death.” Nearby, Palestinian security forces set up barriers near the Nativity Church, and workers tidied the streets.
Christmas in Bethlehem is usually a shared celebration for Christians and Muslims, offering a rare moment of joy under the decades-long Israeli occupation.
The cancellation of festivities this year is a significant loss for the city’s economy, heavily dependent on tourism. About 70% of Bethlehem’s income comes from Christmas visitors, leaving the town struggling even further under these circumstances.
