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Churches in Bethlehem cancel Christmas celebrations in protest of the war in Gaza

2023-11-15 22:23:48Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Churches in Bethlehem cancel Christmas celebrations in protest of the war in
Churches in Bethlehem cancel Christmas celebrations

The main churches in Bethlehem agreed to cancel the celebration of Christmas this year in protest against the war in Gaza. As Voice of America correspondent Yan Boechat reports, the Palestinian city, which is known as the birthplace of Christ, will hold only religious ceremonies.

Bethlehem will look gloomy this end of the year. The Palestinian city, which Christians revere as the birthplace of Christ, will not be celebrating - there will be no festive lights, fireworks or Christmas tree. The three main churches – the Greek Orthodox, Armenian and Catholic churches – have agreed to hold only religious ceremonies.

"This year will be completely different. There will be no holiday lights, and no Christmas tree. We will mourn for those killed in Gaza. There is an atmosphere of deep sorrow here and all the churches have decided to hold only religious services for Christmas,” says Father Issa Musleh, the spokesman of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate.

Israel declared war on Hamas after militants from the organization, which the US government considers terrorist, launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7. About 1,200 people have been killed and 240 have been kidnapped and are being held hostage in Gaza. Hamas governs the Gaza Strip.

One of the most important Christmas celebrations in the world is held in Bethlehem. Every year the city is lit up with thousands of lights and decorated with one of the tallest Christmas trees in the Holy Land.

Since the war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, churches in Bethlehem have only accepted local believers. Tourists and pilgrims have fled, which has affected the city's economy, which relies on tourism. Shopkeepers like Khadar Hussain agree it's a bleak situation, but say it's a bit much to not have a Christmas tree.

"I'm Muslim, but I don't think it's a deliberate decision not to put up the fir tree this year. This is a tradition; we have been doing it for centuries. It is a symbol that unites us. I agree that we should not light the festive lights, but we should put up the Christmas tree,” says trader Khadar Hussein.

People in Bethlehem say that Christmas will be sad. Not only because there will be no party, but they are very sad about the developments in Gaza. Although most are Christians, they say they are also Palestinians and are deeply saddened by the killings, bombings and war in Gaza.

"We are sad, but the only thing we can do is pray because the most important thing is the birth of Christ and prayers. Celebrations are added value. If they cancel them, fine, we're upset; our children are bored because the celebrations give them pleasure, but the most important thing we continue to have," says the tourist guide, Willma Juha.

The Church of the Nativity will not be closed for Christmas. Priests say it will be a very sad Christmas, but religious ceremonies will continue as usual in all churches./VOA


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