BETHLEHEM, (Palestine Foundation Information Center), Christmas festivities returned to the city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday morning, as a traditional procession set off from Jerusalem toward the city, following two years without celebrations due to Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.
The procession was led by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who is set to preside over the Midnight Mass according to the Western calendar at the Church of the Nativity, the site believed to mark the birth of Jesus Christ, peace be upon him, amid broad participation from local residents and visitors.
Star Street, which leads to the Church of the Nativity, witnessed a festive march attended by hundreds of people, while Manger Square was adorned with a large Christmas tree decorated with red and gold ornaments, restoring a sense of joy to the city.
Following the entry into force of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza on October 10, signs of celebration gradually returned to Bethlehem after being absent over the past two years due to the war and its repercussions. The Christmas tree was once again erected outside the Church of the Nativity, signaling the return of religious and festive rituals.
Scout groups also held an official parade from Star Street to Manger Square, led by music and flags, amid a notable turnout of residents from within and outside the city who gathered to watch the performances and relive the holiday spirit.
Pizzaballa had visited the Gaza Strip over the weekend, where he presided over the Christmas Mass at the Holy Family Parish in Gaza City, a move that carried symbolic messages of solidarity with Gaza’s Christian community amid the aftermath of the war.
Despite the return of celebrations, Bethlehem remains under a tight Israeli siege, with closures and checkpoints that have directly affected residents’ movement and the local economy, particularly the tourism sector, which is a cornerstone of the city’s livelihood.
Bethlehem is regarded as a global spiritual and tourist center, welcoming thousands of Christian pilgrims annually in late December to celebrate Christmas and visit the Church of the Nativity, built above the grotto believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, peace be upon him, where the Virgin Mary gave birth.
The Palestinian News Agency (WAFA) quoted Bethlehem Mayor Maher Qanawati as saying that the city, despite the harsh conditions imposed by closures, siege, and the disruption of tourism over the past two years, is capable of rising again. He stressed that the return of the Christmas atmosphere sends a message of hope to the world that Bethlehem remains a cradle of peace and steadfast in its humanitarian mission.
Qanawati explained that the municipality has worked in recent months to revitalize the tourism sector through initiatives aimed at restoring visitors’ confidence and stimulating the local economy, noting that the return of celebrations, even under exceptional circumstances, provides a significant morale boost to the city’s residents and conveys a message of resilience in the face of attempts at isolation and marginalization.
