Bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of Jesus, observed a subdued Christmas Eve on Tuesday, overshadowed by the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The festive atmosphere usually associated with the Palestinian town was absent, with decorations, tourists, and the traditional scout march all missing. Mayor Anton Salman emphasized the message of peace and hope while urging the world to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. The cancellation of Christmas festivities dealt a severe blow to the town's economy, heavily reliant on tourism, which accounts for 70% of Bethlehem's income.
Bethlehem marked another somber Christmas Eve on Tuesday in the traditional birthplace of Jesus under the shadow of war in Gaza. The excitement and cheer that typically descends on the Palestinian town in the occupied West Bank on Christmas were nowhere to be found: The festive lights and giant tree that normally decorate Manger Square were missing, as were the throngs of foreign tourists that usually fill the square.
While the war in Gaza has deterred tourists and pilgrims alike, it has also prompted a surge of violence in the West Bank, with more than 800 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire and dozens of Israelis killed in militant attacks. Since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas that sparked the war, access to and from Bethlehem and other Palestinian towns in the West Bank has been difficult, with long lines of motorists waiting to pass Israeli military checkpoints.
Christmas Bethlehem Gaza War Palestinian Economy Peace
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