A Silent Christmas

Pope Francis, the Pope of the Vatican, condemned in his Christmas message yesterday the “desperate humanitarian situation” of the Palestinians in Gaza, calling for an end to “military operations in the war between Israel and Hamas and the release of the hostages who are still being held in the Strip.” The Pope said: “I appeal to stop the military operations and their horrific consequences, with innocent civilian casualties. I ask that the desperate humanitarian situation be addressed by allowing aid to arrive.” He added in front of thousands in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican: “Our heart tonight is in Bethlehem, where the Prince of Peace (Christ) still rejects the losing logic of war, with the roar of weapons that prevent him, even today, from finding his place in the world.”

The pope said: “Stop fueling violence and hatred, and move towards resolving the Palestinian issue, through an honest and continuous dialogue between the two parties, supported by a strong political will and the support of the international community.”

More than two months after the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas on October 7, the Gaza Strip is facing a severe humanitarian crisis after widespread destruction as a result of Israeli bombing, and about 85 percent of its population of 2.4 million people were forced to flee, according to the United Nations. .

But the  city of Bethlehem, in the West Bank, was heart stopping – the city that had  witnessed the birth of Jesus Christ, lay barren and unadorned , in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza, and in light of the halt in tourism and the closure of entrances to the City.The Patriarchate and the heads of the churches of the city of Jerusalem had all announced the cancellation of all Christmas celebrations for Christian denominations this year, with only prayers and religious rituals being held- a rare scene indeed!.

The  Municipality of Bethlehem  and civil societies  established a grotto  called “Birth Under the Ruins” in Manger Square in the city of Bethlehem in the West Bank, in order to send a message to the world calling for an end to Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip.

Candles were also lit and prayers were held in the courtyard of the Church of the Nativity, in the presence of a number of clerics, officials, members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Palestinian Authority, and citizens. Barbed wire surrounded the courtyard of the Nativity, and the cheerful lights that filled the square during the Christmas season were absent.

In short, Israel this year is sending its own Christmas message to the world!!