2023-12-24 20:56:14
No gigantic tree, no flamboyant nativity scene, little joy. A veil of sadness envelopes Bethlehem on Sunday, which usually dresses up in its festive clothes for Christmas, tarnished this year by the war in the Gaza Strip. Few worshipers and tourists are expected during the day and at midnight mass in the Palestinian town in the occupied West Bank, which according to Christian tradition was the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
Tourists have fled the region since the war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7. Palestinian Christians do not have the heart for the celebrations, largely canceled by the municipality, unable to ignore the fate of their fellow citizens, besieged and bombed in Gaza. “There are many who died for this land, it is very difficult to celebrate something while our people are dying“, estimates Nicole Najjar, an 18-year-old student, on the deserted Place de la Mangeoire.
Facing the Basilica of the Nativity, a work of art evoking the tragedy of Gaza was installed on the ground, in place of the life-size nativity scene and the colossal fir tree: Mary and Joseph, gray statues, in the middle of a jumble of debris and sheet metal, behind barbed wire. On the building next door, a large banner: “Stop the genocide, stop the displacement, lift the blockade” or “Bethlehem bells ring for ceasefire in Gaza“.
This year is different from others, it is full of sadness, sorrow, destruction, deprivation and loss.
Mervat Murra, fashion designer in Bethlehem
The war between Hamas and Israel entered its 79th day on Sunday. Triggered on October 7 by the attack by Hamas commandos, a movement recognized as terrorist by the European Union. The attack left around 1,140 dead according to Israeli authorities and the Israeli response left more than 20,400 dead in Gaza and displaced 85% of the population, according to the Hamas government.
In the Palestinian territory, governed by Hamas, Christians, estimated to number around a thousand, took refuge in churches which were not spared by the fighting. Last week, a mother and her daughter were killed by Israeli fire inside the Holy Family Church in Gaza City, according to the patriarchate. Pope Francis denounced bombings and shootings targeting “defenseless civilians“.
“This year is different from others, it is full of sadness, sorrow, destruction, deprivation and loss“, laments Mervat Murra, 50, fashion designer in Bethlehem. The scout parade, which usually wakes up the city with bagpipes and tambourines, must give way to a silent parade.
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