Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 10:24am on 24 Dec 2023,Sunday International
Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem have been cancelled this year as the town mourns the devastation in Gaza. Usually full of tourists, Manger Square now stands "grey and empty" said one shopkeeper. Pastor Munther Isaac created a nativity scene with baby Jesus lying in rubble, saying "If Jesus was born today, he'd be born under the rubble of Gaza." The mayor said Bethlehem's economy has "crashed" with tourism wiped out. Shop owner Nabil Giacaman lamented having "zero" visitors after reservations were cancelled due to the conflict. With festivities called off across the Holy Land, Christian leaders condemned the violence, with one priest in Bethlehem saying "We pray each day for Gaza and the victims on both sides."
