Tue Dec 24 20:41:00 UTC 2024: ## Gaza War Casts Shadow Over Somber Bethlehem Christmas

**BETHLEHEM, West Bank** – A subdued Christmas Eve was observed in Bethlehem on December 24, 2024, overshadowed by the ongoing war in Gaza. The typically festive atmosphere was absent, with missing decorations, few tourists, and silent marches by Palestinian scouts carrying signs pleading for peace.

Mayor Anton Salman highlighted the message of peace and hope from Bethlehem, but emphasized the urgent need for the world to address the suffering of the Palestinian people. The lack of tourism, which accounts for approximately 70% of Bethlehem’s income, has led to unemployment hovering around 50%, significantly higher than the West Bank average.

Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, lamented the empty streets and shuttered shops, expressing hope for a brighter Christmas next year. He held a special mass in Gaza City on Sunday and delivered a message of solidarity to the people of Manger Square, a stark contrast to the usual tens of thousands present during this season.

Tourism has plummeted from nearly 2 million visitors annually pre-COVID to under 100,000 this year, according to the Palestinian Tourism Ministry. The ongoing conflict, with over 800 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire and numerous Israelis killed in militant attacks, has severely impacted access to Bethlehem due to restricted movement at Israeli military checkpoints. This has also prevented around 150,000 Palestinians from working in Israel, causing a 25% contraction in the West Bank economy.

Elsewhere, Christmas celebrations were also muted. Syrian Christians protested in Damascus following the burning of a Christmas tree in Hama, while a car attack at a German Christmas market left five dead and 200 injured. A snowstorm in the Balkans caused travel disruptions, and a technical issue briefly grounded American Airlines flights across the U.S. Despite these challenges, some found moments of joy amidst the adversity.

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