Bethlehem faces a quiet Christmas amid Gaza war: Video
In Bethlehem, a city revered as the birthplace of Jesus Christ, the festive season has been muted for a second consecutive year due to ongoing violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and the war in Gaza.
On Christmas Eve, a small group of Christian pilgrims gathered in the Church of the Nativity to pray, their presence starkly contrasting to the bustling crowds of foreign tourists who once fuelled Bethlehem’s economy.
The church, which dominates the city’s Manger Square, was nearly empty, and Christmas decorations were scarce. The only sounds filling the crypt, where Christians believe Jesus was born, were the chants of Armenian monks, as reported by the AFP.
Bethlehem has remained relatively calm amid the surge in violence across the West Bank following the outbreak of war in Gaza on October 7. However, the economic and social impact on the predominantly Muslim city has been profound.
Mohammed Awad, a coffee vendor with 26 years of experience in Manger Square, lamented the challenges of this year. “Unfortunately, this year is one of the most difficult years that the Palestinian people have gone through because of the wars and problems. We were living better than today. The situation is very, very, very difficult,” he said.
Rayan, who sells corn nearby, echoed similar sentiments, reflecting on the sharp decline in tourism. “In the past, it was much better. There were many people, in addition to tourists from abroad—from the Philippines, Ethiopia, America, and many others. Now there are none. They also used to come here from the Arabs of 1948, but now there is no one,” Rayan shared.
The city’s struggles are compounded by increased restrictions. Bethlehem Mayor Anton Salman highlighted the challenges faced by potential visitors. “On top of pre-existing checkpoints, the Israeli army had set up new roadblocks around Bethlehem, creating an obstacle for those wanting to visit,” Salman told AFP. “Maybe part of them will succeed to come, and part of them, they are going to face the gates and the checkpoints that Israel is putting around.
