DaysofPal– In Bethlehem’s Manger Square, the usual festive decorations and influx of pilgrims are conspicuously absent for a second consecutive Christmas season, overshadowed by the ongoing conflict in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
The Church of the Nativity, a significant religious site believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, stands notably empty. Mohammed Sabeh, a security guard at the church, remarked, “Normally on this day you would find 3,000 or 4,000 people inside the church.”
The escalation of violence in the West Bank since the Gaza war’s onset on October 7 has deterred foreign tourists, crucial to Bethlehem’s economy. Furthermore, increased Israeli checkpoints have slowed movement, preventing many Palestinians from visiting the city. Sabeh noted, “Christians in Ramallah can’t come because there are checkpoints,” expressing concerns over the treatment at these crossings.
Local businesses are feeling the impact. A souvenir shop owner near the church reported a significant drop in sales, stating, “We have no work. We have no tourists.” Similarly, a nearby restaurant owner lamented the lack of customers, saying, “We are open, but there is no one.”
Approximately 470 Christian families have left the greater Bethlehem area over the past year, although this trend is not limited to Christians. Frederic Masson,the Syrian Catholic priest for the Bethlehem parish, noted that both Christians and non-Christians, particularly young people, are leaving due to the lack of hope for a stable future
Despite the challenges, the Palestinian Authority has installed a Christmas tree in Manger Square, and the annual lighting ceremony proceeded with a modest crowd. However, the prevailing sentiment among residents is one of subdued celebration, with many expressing a desire for peace and the return of visitors to their city.
The situation in Bethlehem reflects the broader impact of regional conflicts on local communities, particularly those reliant on tourism and pilgrimage. As the festive season approaches, the city’s residents hope for a resolution that will restore both peace and prosperity to their historic home.
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