In Bethlehem, Christmas is being celebrated properly again after Corona

In the Israeli-occupied West Bank city where Christians believe Jesus Christ was born, Christians prayed at the Church of the Nativity on Christmas Eve while visitors in red and white Santa hats took selfie photos on the city streets.

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, greeted visitors upon his arrival in the city. In the evening he was to lead the traditional procession on Christmas Eve.

After two Christmas celebrations marked by tough corona conditions and entry bans for tourists, there was a festive mood again in Bethlehem, which is inhabited by Christians and Muslims alike. A huge Christmas tree and colorful balloons decorated the streets, Boy Scout groups marched through the streets playing the bagpipes under the eyes of numerous spectators.

“Christmas is the city’s festival and we have put a lot of time and effort into the preparations,” Bethlehem Mayor Hanna Hanania told AFP. The city has organized singing performances for children and shows with singers from France, South Africa and Malta.

Thanks to the return of tourists, business owners in Bethlehem have also breathed a sigh of relief after two lean years. “It’s much better now,” said Michael al-Sirani, owner of a ceramics shop in Bethlehem. Tourists have not only returned to day visits, but have also started to stay overnight in the city again.

Pilgrims and tourists from all over the world have traveled to the Palestinian territories again, especially since March, Palestinian Tourism Minister Rola Maajah told AFP. “So far we have received about 700,000 tourists from all over the world,” she added.