lifestyle
Published November 17, 2023, 7:35 p.m. ET
City officials at the birthplace of Jesus Christ tear down Christmas decorations in solidarity with Palestinians as Israel continues to invade Gaza.
Bethlehem, an ancient city in the West Bank, said through social media and official spokespeople that decorations put up in recent years would be removed amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
“Bethlehem Municipality troops announced the dismantling of Christmas decorations placed in neighborhoods several years ago and the removal of all festive appearances in honor of the martyrs and in solidarity with our people in Gaza,” the city wrote on Facebook, according to the Jerusalem Post.
A city spokesman also acknowledged the campaign to remove Christmas decorations in a statement to the Telegraph.
“The reason is the general situation in Palestine; People aren’t really celebrating, they’re sad, angry and upset; “Our people in Gaza are being massacred and killed in cold blood,” the spokesman said, according to the source.
They added: “Therefore, it is completely inappropriate to hold such celebrations while a massacre is taking place in Gaza and attacks are taking place in the West Bank.”
Despite Bethlehem’s importance for Christians and the high level of religious tourism among believers during Advent, the city is majority Muslim.
Bethlehem’s Christian population has declined steadily since the mid-20th century.
In 1950, Christians made up over 80% of the local population, but today their share is around 10% in a Muslim-dominated region.
Many Christians have chosen to flee the region due to persecution and religious harassment.
Armenian Orthodox arrive at the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank city of Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas and Epiphany. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
In addition, low birth rates in Christian communities in Bethlehem have also contributed to the population decline in the West Bank.
According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, about 185,000 Christians live in Israel, where they make up almost 2% of the population.
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