Christmas excitement in Palestine, which welcomes Christians from all over the world
Christians from all over the world make pilgrimages to the historic city of Bethlehem in the southern West Bank at the end of December each year to celebrate Christmas.
The city draws its sanctity from the Church of the Nativity, which is built over a cave where Jesus Christ is believed to have been born. Thousands of tourists gather in front of the Church of the Nativity, considered one of the holiest Christian religious sites.
Despite the joy of Christmas, all Palestinians, including the people of Bethlehem, have suffered from Israeli operations in the West Bank that have killed more than 200 Palestinians since the beginning of this year.
“The city has completed its preparations to celebrate Christmas this year,” said Hanna Hananiya, the mayor of Bethlehem. Hananiya said that they decorated all the old streets and lanes in the city and this year the city gained a different beauty.
Pointing out that the Palestinian people desperately need real peace, the mayor said that Israel continues to disturb the people of Bethlehem in particular and all Palestinians in general. Hananiya also urged the world to fulfill its responsibilities so that peace can come to Bethlehem and Palestine.
FLOW OF TOURISTS
Mayor Hananiya said that before Christmas, Bethlehem was packed with tourists and Christian pilgrims.
The tourism industry in Bethlehem has been disappointing after hotel bookings were canceled in December 2021 due to the Covid-19 and related Omicron outbreak. While many tourists are coming to the city this year, the tourism sector, which is expected to revive, is expected to contribute to the Palestinian economy.
Greek Orthodox priest Isa Selciyye said Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity were sparkling with new decorations as they prepared for Christmas celebrations. “This year will be different and peace will prevail for all,” Selciyye said. He expressed the hope of peace from him.
Stating that the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem gave the city a special character, Seljiyya said: “Every year in the Christian world, all eyes turn to Bethlehem because it is the land of Christmas.” (AA)