The conflict in the Middle East is affecting Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem in the West Bank
This Sunday's Fantástico (24) showed how the conflict in Gaza changed Christmas in the West Bank city of Belém, considered the cradle of Christianity.
According to Christian tradition, Jesus Christ was born in the city of Palestine, where until last year the Christmas season was a time of celebration and lights, typical food and joy like those celebrated in Brazil.
But now the scenario is completely different. Close to Nativity sceneone of Belém's tourist attractions, faded decorations and empty streets.
Every year at this time in December, pilgrims come from all over the world to visit the Church of the Nativity and see the Christmas tree that the city puts up. This year it can be said that there is no trace of celebrations.
The history and challenges of Belém
Bethlehem is a Palestinian city in the West Bank, an area occupied by Israel since the 1967 war. The city is less than 10 kilometers from another biblical city, Jerusalem, and just over 60 kilometers from the Gaza Strip, where around 30,000 Palestinians live. most of them are Muslims. But Christian Palestinians also live in the city.
Less than 100 years ago, these Christian Arabs made up the vast majority of the city. Today there are only 10,000, according to the Orthodox priest who looks after the Church of the Nativity.
Father Issa Thaljieh describes what is different about the Christmas celebration in the Church of the Nativity this year than in previous years:
“At Christmas time there were queues and many people from all over the world, thousands, came to Bethlehem and especially to the Church of the Nativity where Jesus was born.” Now we don't see anyone. Since October 7th, it has been difficult for people to visit. So Christmas isn't really Christmas. There are no trees, music, bands or any kind of celebration,” he says.
In the Lutheran church, a new interpretation of the traditional nativity scene stands out: the images of Mary and Joseph watch a baby Jesus wrapped in the Palestinian cloth amid the rubble of the war.
“People are sad about what is happening. We are afraid for the future of our friends and families, because many people here in Bethlehem have relatives in Gaza,” reports Munther Isaac, Evangelical Lutheran pastor in Bethlehem:
Without Christian pilgrims, tourism one of Bethlehem's main activities also suffers.
The report took place on a street that is full of tourists even outside of the Christmas period. Each of the blue doors are shops that sell souvenirs to visitors to Belém. And what you see now this year is a completely empty street. Business in one branch collapsed.
“We haven’t had any tourists since October 7th,” says a trader.
A taxi driver says that before the war he earned around $100 a day at Christmas time more than R$500. This year he made just 50 shekels a little over $10. This Christmas it remains a place of hope for those of faith. still lives in Belem.
“Christmas this year is all about prayer, prayer will give us a moment of hope,” says the Evangelical Lutheran pastor.
“May this place where Jesus was born give people hope and strength,” says Father Issa Thaljieh.
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