Bethlehem officially CANCELS Christmas for first time in decades

[Drosselmeyer]

XMAS AXED 

Jesus birthplace Bethlehem officially CANCELS Christmas for first time in decades due to Israel war ‘massacre’

The town has been virtually empty since the war started despite it usually having thousands of tourists in the winter

• Georgie English           The Sun - US edition

• Published: 13:51 ET, Nov 15 2023
• Updated: 21:22 ET, Nov 15 2023

BETHLEHEM has officially cancelled Christmas for the first time in decades due to the Israel war massacre.

Jesus' birthplace has announced the usual decorations for the city will be taken down and the usual celebrations wont go ahead "in honour of the martyrs and in solidarity with our people in Gaza".

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Christmas has been cancelled in Jesus' birthplace as officials announce they'll be no tree, decorations or lights put up this yearCredit: AFP

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Bethlehem will be almost empty of tourists for the first time in decades because of the Israel Hamas warCredit: EPA

The shock move means there will be no huge Christmas tree put up or any decorative lights in Manger Square - the exact spot Jesus was said to be born in.

This is the first time they've been cancelled since the modern celebrations began and even during the Covid-19 pandemic the square was still decorated.

A spokesman for the Bethlehem municipality confirmed that the normal plans for Christmas have been completely scrapped ahead of December 25.

The spokesman said: “The reason is the general situation in Palestine; people are not really into any celebration, they are sad, angry and upset; our people in Gaza are being massacred and killed in cold blood."

“Therefore, it is not appropriate at all to have such festivities while there is a massacre happening in Gaza and attacks in the West Bank.

“Bethlehem should send out its own message of condolence and mourning.”

A Christmas “mass and prayers” is still set to take place but no lights or decorations will be up anywhere in the area.

Bethlehem is a historical town with 25,000 people living there but it sits just six miles south of Jerusalem in the Palestinian-patrolled West Bank.

Due to the rich religious history, Christians from all around the world go on a pilgrimage to Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity to celebrate the birth of Christ.

However, since Hamas’ brutal Oct 7 massacre and the horrors of war in Gaza, the town has been empty of visitors and sat neglected in a usual bustling town.

Fighting is still ongoing in Gaza and just yesterday Israeli military blew up a government building just days after vowing there was "no hiding" place for the terror group.

Dramatic footage posted to social media shows an explosion at the building before it becomes engulfed in a raging blaze, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky.

 

It comes just two days after Israeli troops were pictured inside a Gaza parliamentary building, located in Gaza City.

Striking images showed the IDF troops proudly waving Israeli flags inside the building after capturing the site.

The smiling soldiers were seen inside the bullet-ridden building behind rows of seats and a table where Hamas leaders once sat.

The building was captured by the 7th Armored Brigade and Golani Infantry Brigade.

 

Israel vowed to eradicate Hamas from Gaza and is continuing its ground offensive in the enclave's north.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday said there was “no hiding” place for the terror group in the territory.

“They told us we wouldn’t reach the outskirts of Gaza City and we did, they told us we wouldn’t enter Al-Shifa (hospital) and we did,” he said hours after troops raided the territory’s biggest hospital.

“There is no place in Gaza that we won’t reach.”

In recent days, Israeli troops have targeted and surrounded the al Shifa hospital - convinced that Hamas militants are hiding out in a bunker located beneath the base, and using patients as human shields.

As a result, the hospital has become a stark symbol of the widespread suffering of Palestinian civilians as patients, including newborn babies, have been dying from dwindling supplies and no electricity.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) claimed that power had completely run out and 36 newborn babies were fighting for their lives after having to be removed from defunct incubators.

The WHO stated that the facility is "nearly a cemetery" as bodies piled up inside and outside.

The IDF today said it was in the process of coordinating the transfer of incubators to Gaza to help save newborns.

Over 11,000 people - including 4,500 children - are said to have been killed in Gaza since Israel began its retaliatory strikes and ground operations, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Israel's bombardment and siege of the Strip was sparked by Hamas's bloody cross-border killing spree on Israel, which saw 1,200 slaughtered and some 230 hostages dragged into Gaza.

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The town has been the epicentre of Christian celebrations for decades as it's the spot where Jesus was thought to be bornCredit: Getty - Contributor

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Bethlehem have scrapped the usual plans as they feel it isn't a time for celebrations as thousands are being killed in the nearby warzoneCredit: AFP

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Read the original post here:    https://www.the-sun.com/news/9635665/jesus-birthplace-bethlehem-officially-cancels-christmas-israel-war-gaza/

 

[Drosselmeyer]

the world is becoming a very dark and sad place - now more than ever we need to be sharing the love of Christ and the the gift of Christmas

[Black Hills Santa]

While it is sad that the Palestinian Authority has decided to cancel Christmas in Bethlehem, I cannot fault Israel. The ruthless and savage carnage inflicted upon Israel by Hamas is inexcusable. 

[Sundblom Santa]

2 hours ago, Drosselmeyer said:

The spokesman said: “The reason is the general situation in Palestine; people are not really into any celebration, they are sad, angry and upset; our people in Gaza are being massacred and killed in cold blood."

What about the thousands of innocent men, women, and children (on both sides) who are being massacred in cold blood? The Palestinians have a habit of being driven from everywhere they go. Not even Egypt wants them. People who use women and children as human shields—and those who support those who use women and children as human shields—don’t get any sympathy from me.

Having said that, my heart aches for the innocent men, women, and children on both sides of this conflict (especially the children, as well as our Messianic and Palestinian Christian brothers and sisters, and, also, the innocent civilians on both sides). There are no winners here (except maybe the Israelis, and that’s because the actions of Hamas and some violent Palestinians are utterly inexcusable).

Until this terrible war ends, let’s pray that all Christians (Messianic Jewish Christians, Palestinian Christians, and Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant Christians) can come together, pray together, and hopefully all of this will soon be over.

Edited November 16, 2023 by Sundblom Santa

[santaparker]

think of our brother in northern jerusalem who is the santa for the holy land region. i hope he is ok in this

[Rob Thompson]

Terribly sad to say the least

Without getting into any political or religious debate, Im sending prayers on a daily basis, for all affected by this and hope for an end to it sooner rather than later,

This goes for anywhere in the world where there is such conflict.

Keep the Christmas message and spirit going everywhere we are brothers and sisters in Red

[Santa Caras]

Growing up we learned not to throw a punch and understood there would be consequences if done. Terrorist groups such as Hamas need no longer to exist. Its the Palestinian n Israelis people that both suffer due to Hamas actions. IDF will pound Gaza into rubble to kill this poisonous snake. 

[Santa SteveKl]

It is unfortunate that this has had to happen. I have been and will continue to pray for all involved.