This year, Christmas in Bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of Jesus, looks like a ghost town due to the cancellation of the holiday due to the war between Israel and Hamas.
Manger Square, which is usually decorated with a Christmas tree and festive lights, remains empty. The tourist flow, which provides the city with about 70% of income, has almost completely stopped due to canceled airline flights and the military conflict.
Security forces are now patrolling local streets where tourists used to hang out. Franciscan monk John Vigne expressed his disappointment: "This year, without a Christmas tree and without lights, it's just darkness."
The cancellation of the holidays was a serious blow to the economy of Bethlehem. More than 70 hotels closed, thousands of people lost their jobs. Gift shops opened slowly and there were few visitors.
Alaa Salameh, a restaurant owner, expressed his understanding: "We can't celebrate when some people in Gaza don't even have homes."
