Bethlehem cancels Christmas in honour of Palestinian ‘martyrs’

There will be no Christmas tree or festive lights in Manger Square, where Jesus Christ was said to have been born, an area which usually attracts tourists from across the world.

“All festive appearances” will be cancelled “in honour of the martyrs and in solidarity with our people in Gaza”, a spokesperson for the Bethlehem Municipality said.

A Christmas mass and prayers will still take place, they added.

“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,” the spokesman told The Telegraph.

“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 has a population of around 25,000 people but attracts thousands of tourists from across the world in the run up to Christmas, including Christians who go on a pilgrimage to Manger Square.