this christmas life of jesus returns as a reality for many of its descendants the Holy Land. As soon as God’s little son was born escape from one’s own land. Since October 7, hundreds of thousands of Gazans have had to leave their homes and other shelters on the road to protect their lives. This year, no one comes to remember what Jesus Christ did to the cave where, according to Christianity, he welcomed the world to save the world. Inside Belenno christmas celebrations. Silence rumbles. Emptiness too. There is nothing to indicate that this Palestinian city’s busiest days are approaching: there are no trees, no lights, almost no shops open. there is no soul in you nativity church. Like all of Palestine, Bethlehem, a holy city if there ever was one, is in mourning. A shocking grief.
“Bethlehem is empty, no tourists, no people, no nothing,” he explains. Ismail, a bored shopkeeper. “Bethlehem is dyingHe tells EL PERIÓDICO of the Prensa Ibérica group, before admitting that he only managed to sell handkerchiefs to a Norwegian journalist during the war, which lasted more than two months. despair In a living city you can touch it with your hands tourism. Nothing is sold, nothing is bought. No life. This year, Christian leaders and municipal officials of the city nine kilometers from Jerusalem in the southern West Bank canceling public Christmas celebrations We stand in solidarity with the suffering in Gaza. For the first time since modern celebrations began, the site of Jesus’ birth will not be decorated The tree in Manger Square. Thousands of people who are completely dependent on the tourism industry understand this, but they justify it for their own benefit. fragile economiesTwo months without income and assistance represents a formidable hurdle.
While the Israeli Army continues its attack on Gaza, regardless of international pressure, the pain of its Palestinian brothers is carried to the deserted streets of Bethlehem. “This is not fair “While these people are dying, we are celebrating Christmas here with a huge tree and the famous lights,” he says. Rhyme I run a Christian bookstore. The tables are empty. The coffee machine was turned off. The books are well organized. He spends his time catching up on the latest news by shouting ‘Al Jazeera’. “At this point before the war, Bethlehem was very busy and many people came from the north [en referencia a la ciudad de Natzaret] and to visit the Church of the Nativity from abroad but we can’t do it now”he confesses to this newspaper. “Christmas is not a tree, This is Jesus” he argues.
closed access
Jesus accompanied by his parents Maria and José, was forced to flee due to Herod’s threat to execute all children born in Bethlehem. This divine family managed to escape to Egypt. But now, centuries after this fruitful escape, the citizens of God’s son They cannot leave their cities. “All access control points to Belén have been closed,” Ismael charges. And Bethlehem has been on the West Bank of Palestine for more than half a century. Israeli military occupation It controls the roads and hundreds of checkpoints it has set up around the cities. subject to the absolute mercy of the Israeli military authorities and surrounded by concrete wallPalestinians in Bethlehem are tied to criteria they don’t know if today will be the day they can leave their city after almost three months.
“As Palestinians, it is very difficult for us to travel in the West Bank because it is dangerous“, referring to Ishmael, he admits:radical settlers Armed groups operating with complete impunity from all over the occupied territory. “Since I can’t go out to trade, my job is completely destroyed; “No one takes anything from me and there is no income,” he laments to this newspaper. Moreover, as an exception, previously peaceful Bethlehem is subjected to daily military raids and constant arrests. “It is not safe to leave the house at night because you may encounter soldiers who do not want to talk to you. They’re ready to shoot you”, adds this trader.
This state of insecurity has a serious impact on a population that begins to migrate. Let’s raise our heads after the blow of the epidemic. Tourism is Bethlehem’s main industry and multiple 25% of active population Working directly or indirectly in this sector. This rate represents 65% for the city’s economy and 11% for the Palestinian Authority (PA) economy. Just before the pandemic, Belén 3.5 million visitors In the winter of 2019. Before the war, it seemed that these figures could be reached, but that tragic October 7 changed everything again. “Nobody has a job anymore“There’s nothing, there’s nothing,” explains Rima, excited by the empty bookstore. Unemployment had already reached 20 percent before the war in this city with a population of 30,000. It may have faded after almost three months.
Just masses and prayers
“Everything stopped, I’m against war, I’m against murders, but I pray for both sidesFor Jews and Arabs,” he adds, shocked. “They both need a savior,” says Rima. The few tourists who pass through its doorstep are also part of this community. 1% of Christian Palestinians It’s not the first time they’ve been to Bethlehem. For this reason, they do not participate much in trade for foreigners, renting tourist guides, hotels or buying souvenirs. Although the celebrations have been canceled, local residents of Bethlehem and those who manage to reach the holy city will be able to participate in typical services and prayers. But nothing will be like the others 24 and 25 DecemberThe Church of the Nativity, built on the cave that marks the exact place where Jesus was born, is where thousands of Christians from different regions meet. everywhere of the world To celebrate this birth.
This year’s manger at the Lutheran Church in Bethlehem surprised. HE Baby Jesus was born among the rubble. Just like thousands of children did in the Gaza Strip. Amid the sadness that pervades Bethlehem, religious leaders remember that December 25 commemorates not only the birth of Jesus but also the birth of Jesus. message of justice, peace and dignity for the humanity he brought with him. “I pray for the Jews and the Arabs because they need Jesus,” says Rima. With no end in sight to the open war in Gaza that has killed almost 20,000 Palestinians, including dozens of Christians, Palestinians in Bethlehem see no end to their suffering. And the life of his savior Jesus is repeated in the Holy Land.