The Palestinian City Marked by a Second ‘Sad Christmas’
Instead of the 37 groups that used to participate in the Christmas parade, only six were present this year, reflecting a grim and austere atmosphere. Dec 24, 2024 Photo: EFE
December 24, 2024 Hour: 5:48 pm
The usual influx of pilgrims who had filled the streets of Bethlehem in previous years has been drastically reduced.
Related:
Gaza: Kamal Adwan Hospital and Doctors Suffers the Israeli Attacks
As millions of Christians around the world celebrate Christmas, the Palestinian city of Bethlehem, considered the birthplace of Jesus, faces its second holiday marked by sadness and suffering due to the consequences of Israel’s devastating war in the Gaza Strip against the Islamist group Hamas.
Franciscan Father Ibrahim Faltas, Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land, expressed his distress by stating: “I have never seen a Christmas like this; I have never seen a sad Christmas like this.” This year, the city lacks traditional Christmas ornaments such as the tree and the nativity scene and has seen a drastic reduction in participation by youth groups that used to animate the celebrations.
Instead of the 37 groups that used to participate in the Christmas parade, only six were present this year, reflecting a grim and austere atmosphere.
The situation in Gaza, less than 70 kilometers from Bethlehem, remains critical. Since the beginning of the conflict on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas attack that left approximately 1,200 dead and 250 kidnapped in Israel, more than 45,300 people have lost their lives in Gaza according to Palestinian sources. This context has made any kind of Christmas celebration impossible for Christians in the region.
The usual influx of pilgrims who had filled the streets of Bethlehem in previous years has been drastically reduced. On December 24, fewer than 20 faithful were expecting the arrival of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Monsignor Pierbattista Pizzaballa, at the Basilica of the Nativity.
The absence of crowds and desolate atmosphere contrasts sharply with the vibrant festivities of the past.
In this context, Christmas in Bethlehem becomes not only a reminder of the birth of Jesus but also a symbol of pain and hope amid conflict.
Autor: MLM
Fuente: EFE
