Bethlehem, West Bank. The city of Bethlehem, known as the birthplace of Jesus Christ, is experiencing a somber and nearly deserted Christmas this year as the conflict in Gaza continues to take its toll.
Local leaders decided last month to scale back Christmas festivities in solidarity with the Palestinian population amidst heavy fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The war, triggered by Hamas’ terror attack on October 7 in southern Israel, has resulted in over 20,000 Palestinians killed and nearly 85% of Gaza’s population displaced, according to the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health.
The impact is evident in Bethlehem, where decorations have been removed, parades and religious celebrations canceled, and the traditional enormous Christmas tree of Manger Square is conspicuously absent. Travel restrictions imposed by Israel, heightened since the conflict escalated, have further dampened the festive spirit.
Israel’s restrictions on movement in Bethlehem and other Palestinian towns, including military checkpoints, have impacted residents trying to go about their daily lives. The region has also witnessed a surge in violence, with at least 300 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
The economic repercussions are severe, especially for businesses relying on the busy festive period. With the absence of tourists and faithful visitors, many hotels, shops, and restaurants have closed, leaving the local economy in distress.
Rony Tabash, a third-generation shop owner, expresses the unprecedented challenges faced by Bethlehem’s economy. His souvenir shop, which remains open to support skilled artisans, has seen a significant drop in sales over the past three months.
Even the iconic Church of the Nativity, largely empty this year, usually sees hundreds of pilgrims queuing to enter its grotto, believed to be the exact location of Christ’s birth. The fighting in Gaza has cast a shadow over the normally bustling church, leaving its halls empty.
Father Spiridon Sammour, a Greek Orthodox priest at the Church of the Nativity, reflects on the unusual atmosphere this Christmas: “Christmas is joy, love, and peace. We have no peace. We have no joy. It is out of our hands, and we pray for the leaders who will make the decisions [all] over the world to God to help them, give them his light to make peace here and all over the world.”
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
