The year 2023 was marked by dark events in the Holy Land, and this is particularly felt in Bethlehem, the emblematic place of the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas celebrations were overshadowed by the sadness and destruction caused by the war in Gaza.
The Bethlehem municipality made the decision to largely cancel the festivities, aware that Palestinian Christians cannot afford to ignore the suffering of their fellow citizens besieged and bombed in Gaza. Tourists, for their part, have deserted the region since the start of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in October.
On the Place de la Mangeoire, usually lively and festive, a profound silence reigns. Traditional decorations, such as the tree and the nativity scene, gave way to a work of art evoking the tragedy of Gaza. Statues of Mary and Joseph stand amid the debris and barbed wire, bearing witness to the sadness and destruction surrounding this year’s Christmas celebrations.
In the Gaza Strip, Christians, whose number is estimated at around a thousand, have found refuge in churches, which themselves have not been spared by the fighting. Last week, a mother and her daughter were killed by Israeli gunfire inside the Holy Family Church in Gaza. Pope Francis strongly condemned these bombings and attacks against innocent and defenseless civilians.
The situation remains worrying, as the war between Hamas and Israel enters its 79th day. Since the start of the conflict, more than 20,400 people have lost their lives in Gaza and 85% of the population has been displaced, according to Hamas government figures. In the West Bank, Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967, violence has also spread, with more than 300 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces since the start of hostilities.
In this context, Palestinian Christians do not find the heart to celebrate Christmas. They mourn the loss of young lives, killed by Israelis, and the daily detention of their compatriots. Their Christmas demand is simple: a lasting ceasefire that will put an end to this atrocity.
Bethlehem, which gave Jesus to the world, deserves peace in return. City bells ring out for a ceasefire in Gaza and call on the world to act for peace. During this Christmas period, it is essential to remember that peace and compassion are universal values to be cultivated and preserved, regardless of the differences and conflicts that can divide people.
The writing of this article reveals the sadness and seriousness of the situation in Bethlehem during this Christmas period. It is important to remember that current events are not limited to traditions and festivities, but also reflect the social and political realities that impact the lives of populations.