A Christmas display emerges amidst debris and razor wire outside the Church of the Nativity, offering solidarity with Gaza, at Manger Square in Bethlehem, located in the West Bank under Israeli control. The unveiling occurred on December 23, as captured by Clodagh Kilcoyne in a Reuters photograph.


December 26, 2023

Bethlehem, the historic birthplace of Jesus, wears an unusual and sombre atmosphere this Christmas Eve as festivities come to a halt amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Normally vibrant with festive lights and adorned with a Christmas tree, Manger Square is devoid of its usual charm. The absence of the usual influx of foreign tourists adds to the melancholy atmosphere.

Mitri Raheb, a Palestinian Christian theologian and former pastor, describes this Christmas as particularly sorrowful. The people of Bethlehem, closely connected to the happenings in Gaza, find it hard to celebrate amidst the grim news of the conflict and the lack of global consensus on a ceasefire.

In a departure from the usual joyful nativity scene in Manger Square, this year's depiction includes rubble and razor wire, mirroring the distressing scenes from Gaza. The population of Bethlehem, traditionally a focal point of Christmas celebrations, is in mourning as the conflict in Gaza has claimed over 20,000 lives, according to health authorities in the Hamas-run enclave.

While Christians constitute around two percent of the population in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian territories, with an even smaller presence in Gaza, their usual Christmas pilgrimages have been deterred by the war, triggered by a Hamas attack on Israeli towns on October 7.

Pope Francis, in the lead-up to Christmas, condemned the ongoing violence in Gaza, accusing Israel of employing "terrorism" tactics. The Pope highlighted a recent incident where two women, Nahida Khalil Anton and her daughter Samar, were allegedly killed by an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) "sniper." The IDF maintains that it targets terrorists and infrastructure, not civilians.

As Bethlehem experiences subdued celebrations, Raheb draws parallels between the biblical narrative and the current plight of Palestinians. He emphasizes the struggles of pregnant Palestinian women in Gaza, comparing their predicament to Mary's journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Additionally, he points to the tragic loss of children in both biblical Bethlehem and present-day Gaza.

In Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered a Christmas Eve message underscoring the values associated with the season—compassion, kindness, and hope. While Canadians prepare for the holiday weekend, the world watches as Bethlehem, a symbol of Christmas, grapples with the harsh realities of the ongoing conflict in the region.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

You may also like

Airstrike On Gaza School Kills 27, Says Health Officials

At least 27 people died after an airstrike hit a school in Gaza City. The building, Dar al-Arqam school, was....

Survivors Found Days After Myanmar’s Deadly Earthquake

Two men have been rescued from the rubble in Myanmar, more than five days after a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake....

South Korea's President Yoon Removed Over Martial Law Move

South Korea’s top court removed President Yoon Suk Yeol from office on Friday. The decision came four months after he....

India Passes Controversial Bill Changing Muslim Endowment Rules Amid Opposition

India’s parliament passed a bill on Thursday that changes the rules for managing Muslim charitable endowments known as waqfs. Prime....

Gaza hit by deadly strikes as Israel pushes new military route

Israel's prime minister announced an expansion of military operations in Gaza, aiming to put more pressure on Hamas. Deadly airstrikes....

Deadly Storms And Tornadoes Threaten Millions Across The U.S.

Strong, warm winds blowing at 50 mph swept into southwestern Tennessee on Wednesday, knocking out power for thousands. This was....

Putin Orders 160,000 New Troops As Ukraine War Intensifies

Russia is launching one of its biggest military recruitment drives in years. President Vladimir Putin has signed an order to....

Trump Places Tariffs On Remote Islands Near Antarctica

A group of isolated volcanic islands near Antarctica, covered in ice and home only to penguins, is now caught in....

Israel Expands Gaza Operation To Seize Large Areas, Orders Mass Evacuations

Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, announced on Wednesday a major expansion of the military operation in Gaza. The plan includes....

Palestinian Man Tortured To Death After Criticizing Hamas, Family Says

A 22-year-old Palestinian man, Uday Rabie, was tortured and killed after publicly criticizing Hamas and joining protests against the group....

Iceland Volcano Erupts, Forcing Evacuations Near Grindavik

A powerful volcanic eruption in southwest Iceland has forced residents and tourists to evacuate. The volcano erupted early in the....

U.S. Seeks Death Penalty For Luigi Mangione In CEO’s Murder

U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi has ordered federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione. He is accused....