Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, is experiencing a quiet and somber Christmas season this year. The town, located in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, is usually bustling with tourists and pilgrims during the holiday season. However, due to the recent war and rise in violence in the region, visitors have been scared away, leaving hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops deserted.
Joey Canavati, owner of the Alexander Hotel, expressed his disappointment, stating that they have no guests this year. He described it as the worst Christmas ever, with Bethlehem being shut down and lacking the usual Christmas spirit. The town heavily relies on income from visitors who come to see the Church of the Nativity, believed to be the site of Jesus’ birth.
Canavati mentioned that before the war started, his hotel was fully booked for Christmas. However, since the conflict began, all the bookings were canceled, even for next year. He took Reuters TV on a tour of the empty hotel, showing vacant rooms and a silent dining room that used to be filled with guests.
The surge in attacks and ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has made Bethlehem a quiet and desolate place this Christmas. Manger Square, usually a focal point for celebrations, is now empty, and most souvenir shops are closed. Rony Tabash, a shop owner, expressed his hopelessness as he tidied up his store that has been without any pilgrims or tourists for almost two months.
Despite the lack of visitors, some businesses are staying open to support their staff and maintain a sense of hope. Ala’a Salameh, owner of a falafel restaurant, is operating at a fraction of his usual capacity, serving local Palestinian families instead of the usual foreign visitors. He emphasized the importance of providing work for his staff and expressed his prayers for peace in Bethlehem, the city where peace was born.
Bethlehem’s quiet Christmas this year serves as a reminder of the ongoing conflicts in the region and the impact they have on the lives and livelihoods of the people in this historic town.
(Note: This story has been edited for clarity and style. It is published from a syndicated feed and does not reflect the views of NDTV staff.)
Disclaimer: Only the headline and content of this report may have been reworked by Newsearay, staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed. The Article was originally published on Source link
