The streets of Bethlehem, in the West Bank, were silent this Tuesday Christmas evening, without a tree or decorations, in solidarity with the Christians of Gaza. The midnight mass was indeed celebrated in the Church of the Nativity, where according to belief, Christ was born, but the faithful did not really have the heart to celebrate.
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With our special correspondent in Bethlehem, Pierre Olivier
Despite the songs, the atmosphere is heavy in the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem. In his homily, the Patriarch of JerusalemPierbatista Pizzaballa, pays tribute to the Christians of the Palestinian enclave: “ I have a thought for our brothers and sisters in Gaza, and I renew our prayers of closeness and solidarity to them. You are not alone “.
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On the benches, the faces of the representatives of the Palestinian authority are worried, the looks of the faithful are sad. “ No lights, no tree, no happy faces… even people’s moods are subdued », Describes a woman.
Alexis Janson, 36, is one of the few pilgrims who came from abroad this evening. He arrived on foot from Tours in six months. “ The things that are happening today are terrible for all these souls who are suffering, all these families who are torn apart, we really have to pray that the situation improves and that people can find peace. », hopes the pilgrim.
Tamer is a Christian Palestinian, like many others, he does not find the Christmas atmosphere: “ It’s sad, really sad… Since the start of the war in Gaza, sadness has spread. You feel this tension, this dejection. »
By singing the Gloriathe Christians present this evening all make the same wish, that of not experiencing a third Christmas in times of war.
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