In Bethlehem, a city synonymous with the joy and festivity of Christmas, there’s a palpable sense of emptiness this season. The vibrant celebrations and influx of tourists and pilgrims that usually animate Manger Square are conspicuously absent.
Local resident Madeleine captures the somber mood, noting the stark lack of festivity. “The city is empty from happiness, from joy, from kids, from Santa. There is no celebration this year,” she laments. The West Bank city, under occupation, finds itself unusually quiet, its iconic Christmas tree and the usual carols and markets nowhere in sight.
In a poignant representation of the current climate, the traditional nativity scene in the square is replaced with a display symbolizing solidarity with the children of Gaza. It depicts the infant Jesus amidst large rocks and barbed wire, a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict.
Father Eissa Thaldjiya, a priest at the Nativity Church for over a decade, expresses his sorrow over the city’s transformation. “I’ve been a priest in this church for 12 years. I was born in Bethlehem, and I’ve never seen it like this – even during the Covid-19 pandemic,” he shares. Despite the challenging circumstances, he finds solace in uniting with others in prayer, particularly for those in Gaza.
The story of Jawdat Mikhael, a Bethlehem resident with family trapped in Northern Gaza, further illustrates the widespread impact of the conflict. His relatives, including parents and a brother, have sought refuge in the Holy Family Church in Gaza City, an area heavily affected by Israeli bombardments.
As Jawdat recounts his family’s plight, a phone call from his father, Han’na Mikhael, interrupts, bringing a personal and immediate connection to the ongoing strife that overshadows this year’s Christmas in Bethlehem.
The connection is marred by crackles, and the stability is questionable, but he persists, clinging to the hope of catching a glimpse of his father.
Han’na tells his son the family is doing ok. He says he’s managed to venture out of the church for the first time in more than two weeks to try to find some food. He says that all is left around the church is rubble and that all the shops are burned. “It’s total destruction,” he says.
He wells up as he says that communications are down and that there is no water. Food is scarce, too – “enough to keep you alive – not to fill your stomach,” he says.
Han’na cries as he tells me about how different Christmas was last year.
“On days like this, we’d be decorating the church. There’d be carols. People would come over to help. But now we’re just praying to make it out of here alive.”
The family has already suffered a terrible loss.
A week ago, Jawdat’s grandmother, Naheda Khalil Anton – who was also sheltering in the church in Gaza – was shot twice in the stomach as she was on her way to the bathroom. His aunt Samar Kamal Anton rushed to help her and was shot in the head.
Jawdat shows me pictures of the immediate aftermath and the funeral.
His family had been sheltering in the Holy Family Church since the beginning of the war. Now, they’ve buried their loved ones there.
The family blames Israeli snipers for their death. The IDF says it will continue its investigation.
Through tears, Han’na says that his two family members died before his eyes: “It was a shock… It was unbearable.”
He apologises to me for crying, and for not being able to speak much: “I’m sorry, but it’s just so difficult. We’ve endured so much.”
A big bang is heard as we are talking, then a second sounds out before Jawdat reluctantly says goodbye to his dad.
This morning in Bethlehem, church bells have been ringing as some locals gathered around the Jesus in the rubble installation and Arabic songs played out on the speakers, one calling for salam – peace – for children.
Dozens of people are in the middle holding a big Palestinian flag – waving it up and down.
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, is in Bethlehem for his traditional address. He was wearing the traditional black and white chequered Palestinian scarf.
Before he entered the Church of Nativity, he said this was “a very sad Christmas”.
“We are in a war, a terrible war. Our thoughts go first and foremost to Gaza, to our people in Gaza… Two million are suffering,” he said.
He added that “a ceasefire is not enough”.
“We have to stop these hostilities and turn the page because violence generates only violence.”
A few steps away from Manger Square, souvenir shops line Star Street on both sides but without the usual bustle of buying, selling and haggling. The famous Palestinian stitch scarves, cushion covers and artefacts hang outside shops, untouched.
This is normally high season for the market. Not this year.
“We cannot celebrate with a lot of people killed in Gaza,” says Abood Subouh, a shop owner in the local market just off Manger Square.
He tells me that, sad as it is to see his city and his business this way, celebrating Christmas feels wrong this year: “We can’t be happy because we are not on the other side of the world. We are still in Palestine.”