BETHLEHEM, West Bank: The Palestinian city of Bethlehem celebrates Christmas Eve on Thursday and only a small number attend traditional events due to COVID-19
restrictions, but city leaders say they are determined to send a message of hope.
Just 12 months ago, Bethlehem, revered as the birthplace of Jesus, was celebrating its busiest holiday season in two decades, amid a sustained drop in violence and a corresponding increase in the number of pilgrims and tourists.
But now, the hotels that were adding new wings in 2019 are closed and many festivities will be followed mostly online.
However, aware that the eyes of the world are on their city at this time of year, Bethlehem leaders say they want to be a beacon of hope.
“There are restrictions on the movement of people and on social media, but it is Christmas, Christmas gives people hope for better times,” said Mayor Anton Salman, standing next to the huge Christmas tree in Manger Square.
“So we are celebrating the holiday by all means, the only thing missing at this stage is the large crowd, as it used to be in previous years, but the people in Bethlehem are optimistic that the future will be better.”
The newly appointed Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who contracted the virus and has recovered, will lead this year’s reduced celebrations, but Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, 85, will not be present at the Church’s annual midnight mass. of the Nativity. said a Palestinian official.
