By Zoila Palma: The Christmas spirit returned to Bethlehem this year as thousands gathered in the city for celebrations marking the first Christmas since the implementation of a U.S.-brokered Israel-Hamas peace deal.
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa led the traditional procession from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, calling for “a Christmas full of light.”
Upon arriving at Manger Square, named for the manger where Christians believe Jesus was laid after his birth, Pizzaballa said he brought greetings from the Christian community in Gaza, where he had celebrated a pre-Christmas Mass days earlier. “We, all together, we decide to be the light, and the light of Bethlehem is the light of the world,” he told the crowd.
According to Fox News, Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati welcomed the return of festivities, announcing in November that the city would once again mark Christmas after more than two years of subdued observances due to the war in Gaza.
“From the heart of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christ, the city of peace — once again, we ignite the flame of hope and raise our prayers for peace,” Canawati said in a video posted to Instagram.
Bethlehem officially began its Christmas season on Dec. 6 with its first Christmas tree lighting since 2022, drawing locals and visitors eager to celebrate. “We came to celebrate, watch and enjoy, because for several years we haven’t had the chance,” Randa Bsoul, a Palestinian from Haifa, told Reuters at the time.
The celebrations follow a difficult period for Bethlehem, which has limited self-governance under the Oslo Accords and relies heavily on tourism.
During the war, public festivities were largely halted, and Manger Square featured a nativity scene depicting baby Jesus amid rubble and barbed wire in reference to Gaza.
The conflict devastated the local economy, with unemployment soaring from 14% to 65% and roughly 4,000 people left searching for work, Canawati said earlier this month.
While the ceasefire has largely held despite mutual accusations of violations, U.S. officials say preparations for a second phase of the agreement are underway following recent talks with regional partners.
The post International News: Christmas returns to Bethlehem as Latin Patriarch leads celebrations after ceasefire appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: The Christmas spirit returned to Bethlehem this year as thousands gathered in the city for celebrations marking the first Christmas since the implementation of a U.S.-brokered Israel-Hamas peace deal. Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa led the traditional procession from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, calling for “a Christmas full of light.” Upon
The post International News: Christmas returns to Bethlehem as Latin Patriarch leads celebrations after ceasefire appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
