Bethlehem reels amid Gaza devastation

“Nowadays, Bethlehem is actually sad.” This year, there will be no decorations, parades, Christmas lights, and usual shows of festivities in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, as Palestinians mourn the loss of over 18,000 people that were killed in Israeli bombings in Gaza. “No tourists and no decorations, not any kind of festival around.“ The war, which started on 7 October, has come at a time when Christians would usually be preparing for the festive season. However, for the first time since the start of modern celebrations of Christmas, Jesus’s birthplace and the Manger Square tree in Bethlehem will not be decorated. Christian leaders and municipal authorities have decided to cancel all public festivities, stating it was “not appropriate“. Subscribe to our channel: Subscribe to MEE Telegram channel to stay up to date: Middle East Eye Website: Follow us on TikTok: @middleeasteye Follow us on Instagram: Like us on Facebook: Follow us on Twitter: