Jakarta, hitclubapk3 Indonesia
—
For the first time since 2022, a tree
Christmas
A 20 meter tall giant stands majestically on the edge of Manger Square, an area revered by the people
Christian
as the birthplace of Jesus.The lamp lighting ceremony was held on Saturday (6/12) evening, as the fragile ceasefire in Gaza entered its second month.
Thousands of Palestinians from across the West Bank to Israel packed the square, cheering as the tree’s red and gold lights came on just before 8 p.m. local time.
“We came to celebrate, watch and enjoy. In recent years we haven’t had the chance,” said Randa Bsoul, a 67-year-old Palestinian from Haifa.
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Since the Gaza war broke out in October 2023, this city has felt the impact even though it is around 60 kilometers from Gaza.
Israeli attacks have devastated Gaza, with reports that the death toll exceeded 70,000 last month.The impact spread to the West Bank, where many residents have family in Gaza.Tourism, which is the lifeblood of Bethlehem’s economy, has also declined sharply.
“The last two years have been like hell,” said a souvenir shop owner in Bethlehem who declined to be named for fear of repression from Israeli authorities, citing
CNA
.
He described the economic situation as worsening, exacerbated by restrictions on the movement of citizens in the West Bank.
In the last two years, Israel has increased military checkpoints and closed access to a number of Palestinian communities with gates and road blockades.Tens of thousands of residents were also forced to flee due to Israeli military operations in a number of cities in the West Bank since the beginning of the year.
Although Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire as part of the US plan, both sides accuse each other of violations.Israel also continues to carry out air strikes under the pretext of responding to threats and destroying militant infrastructure.
Bethlehem gives hope
Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati emphasized that the joy of Christmas this year cannot be separated from the suffering in Gaza.
“When Bethlehem lights its Christmas tree, the pain experienced by our brothers and sisters in Gaza remains in our hearts,” he said.
“Gaza’s wounds are our wounds. The light of Christmas has no meaning if it does not touch the hearts of the oppressed throughout Palestine.”
In the midst of an atmosphere of sadness and uncertainty, many Bethlehem residents hope that Christmas and the New Year will bring peace.Diana Babush, a local resident in her 50s, said they were waiting for a glimmer of relief.
“We are looking for hope,” he said.”We hope that from this moment, peace will come. We want to live in peace and prosperity.”
As a mark of respect for the difficult times, there were no fireworks at this year’s celebrations, a departure from tradition before the Gaza war.
“It’s scary, because no one knows what will happen. But we remain hopeful,” said Bsoul from Haifa.
Even though the future is still filled with uncertainty, the light of the Christmas tree in Bethlehem at least provides a little light amidst the darkness of the conflict that still haunts Palestine.
(tis/tis)
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