Christmas is here – but not in Bethlehem.
The traditional celebration has been canceled in solidarity with the Palestinian population in Gaza.
– The feeling in Bethlehem is that we mourn, says mayor Hana Hananiyeh.
In December, thousands of tourists usually go to Bethlehem in the West Bank to celebrate Christmas in the “hometown of Christmas”. This year Christmas is canceled due to the war between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas.
The traditional celebration must be put aside in solidarity with the Palestinian population in Gaza.
– We have canceled everything. We canceled the Christmas market, the carols and the activities for children because the feeling in Bethlehem is that we are mourning, says Mayor Hana Hananiyeh.
– In addition, Bethlehem is now isolated, just like all other Palestinian cities. All entrances to Bethlehem are closed.
Empty streets and closed shops
A giant Christmas tree is usually placed on Krubban’s square in the central parts of the city. Parades and religious ceremonies are usually part of the inauguration of Christmas.
Now the streets are empty, shops are closed and roads are blocked off. The few shops that are open are basically empty. The canceled celebration means that local businesses that have financially tough years behind them are hit even harder.
– We have had two months almost entirely without any customers. We open every day because this place is part of our heart and our history, says Rony Tabash, one of the shop owners in the city.
Since the war broke out on October 7, more than 18,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry.