Bethlehem received the Guardian of the Holy Land, granting permission to begin the observance of the holy festivities, which will be limited to religious ceremonies amid a state of mourning and sorrow in solidarity with our Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip facing a genocidal war.
Upon arrival at Manger Square, Bethlehem Scouts led a silent procession to the Church of the Nativity, expressing the city's mourning in solidarity with our people in Gaza. The Mayor, Hanna Hanania, members of the Municipal Council, the Acting Governor of Bethlehem, Mohammad Taha Abu Aliya, the Bethlehem Area Commander Colonel Nader Amro, the Director of Bethlehem Police Colonel Mohammad Abu al-Rab, security officials, and representatives of the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs, Ambassador Jihad Khair, and the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bethlehem, Dr. Samir Hazboun, along with religious leaders and representatives of the local community in the governorate, welcomed him at the courtyard of the Church of the Nativity. They walked through the square amidst students and children from Bethlehem schools who came to welcome the Guardian of the Holy Land and express the messages and suffering of Gaza and Palestine.
Father Francesco Patton, the Guardian of the Holy Land, spoke to journalists, stating that the mourning experienced by Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity aims to affirm our solidarity with the Palestinian people and our brothers and sisters in churches and our community in Gaza, who are enduring difficult conditions under bombardment. Therefore, we commence the religious ceremonies of the festive season amid mourning, sorrow, and pain, to convey to them that we are living what they are experiencing there, and we stand with them, feeling their plight.
Nani added today, "Let's pray for them and for peace to come to Gaza because, in the meantime, there is a war that means destruction. We want this war to end quickly for the safety of Palestinian children and innocent civilians."
On his part, Hanna Hanania, the Mayor of Bethlehem, said that Bethlehem is saddened today due to the destruction and killing in the Gaza Strip. Therefore, the Municipal Council has decided in its meeting to limit the Christmas festivities to religious ceremonies and organize events to convey protest messages rejecting the aggression against our Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank. During this period, the world's attention is focused on the birthplace of Christ.
Hanania emphasized, "Our message from Bethlehem is directed to the international community to stand up to its responsibilities to stop the aggression and the atrocities of genocide and to give our people the right to self-determination."
And the Christmas message will remain as Christ intended, for just and lasting peace to come, and for life to return to Bethlehem, which is a symbol of love and peace.
Father Ibrahim Faltas, the Deputy Guardian of the Holy Land, expressed his deep sadness in an interview with the PNN network, noting that he has not seen the sorrow and pain that Bethlehem is experiencing in about thirty-five years. There are no decorations or Christmas trees during the holidays, emphasizing that their absence carries multiple messages to the international community and to all religious leaders worldwide.
He said, "What is happening in Bethlehem, from what I have witnessed in the 35 years since I came to Palestine, is empty of tourists and celebrants, and the absence of the Christmas tree that should be lit up at this time. Therefore, the situation has been very difficult since the aggression on Gaza."
He indicated that they will limit themselves to prayers for the establishment of peace and the cessation of the war in Gaza. He confirmed that they were keen to maintain the established protocols, and thus, the entry of the Guardian of the Holy Land's procession is a clear message to emphasize the magnitude of the event, even if the situation is very difficult.
Faltas pointed out that despite the sorrow and pain, it is essential to pray and send messages of hope and peace through religious ceremonies and rituals for the safety of our Palestinian people.
Politically, Palestinian authorities emphasized that Bethlehem today, with its sadness and mourning, sends messages to the world about the necessity of lifting the injustice from our people, which has been ongoing for seventy-five years. In this context, the Acting Governor of Bethlehem, Mohammed Taha, stated that Bethlehem's message today to the world is that there is a people still suffering for 75 years due to Israeli occupation. He mentioned that welcoming the Guardian of the Holy Land in Bethlehem confirms our right to celebrate our religious and national events in line with the circumstances we are currently experiencing, which are now marked by solemnity.
Abu Aliya added that the intense sorrow during the reception of the Guardian of the Holy Land represents an announcement of the start of the events and ceremonies of Christmas. However, this time it comes amid deep sorrow and mourning due to the continuous crimes of the occupation against our people in Gaza.
Earlier, the leaders of Christian churches and the municipality of Bethlehem, along with all its activities, had announced the restriction of all Christmas celebrations to religious rituals, as the city was enveloped in deep sorrow not witnessed for many years.
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