Only a few dozen individuals attended the lighting of the Christmas tree within the metropolis of Bethlehem on Saturday evening, as Corona Virus restrictions scaled again the annual occasion that’s usually attended by 1000’s.
A small group of residents and non secular leaders participated within the tree-lighting ceremony at Manger Square close to the Church of the Nativity, the place Christians consider Jesus was born. Others watched it nearly as a consequence of restrictions prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some officers — together with Mohammad Shtayyeh, prime minister of the Palestinian National Authority — attended in particular person and addressed occasion individuals watching on-line.
Shtayyeh stated the Palestinian management is receiving the brand new 12 months with willpower to “confronting the [Israeli] occupation more firmly” and ending the interior political division with the rival militant Hamas group. He stated Palestinians would “defeat the settlement”-building within the occupied West Bank regardless of the pandemic.
Bethlehem Mayor Anton Salman stated Christmas is being noticed this 12 months in methods like no time earlier than.
“We resorted to trendy expertise and to the digital world to have fun the lighting of the Christmas tree, wishing hope and optimism would flutter upon Palestine and the world,” Salman stated.
Thousands of pilgrims and vacationers sometimes go to Bethlehem, fill inns and dine at eating places throughout the Christmas season, bringing the world a much-needed injection of money.
