From CBS:
“Bethlehem bustling as pilgrims
flock there to celebrate Christmas”
Thousands of Christian pilgrims
descended on the West Bank town of Bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of
Jesus, ahead of Tuesday's annual Christmas Eve celebrations. The Church of the Nativity, where Christians
believe Jesus was born, was set to host Palestinian dignitaries and pilgrims
from around the world for a midnight Mass. Uniformed Palestinian scouts wearing yellow
and gold capes paraded past assembled visitors in Manger Square, bedecked with
a large Christmas tree, playing drums and bagpipes. Archbishop Pierbattista
Pizzaballa, the head Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, crossed an Israeli army
checkpoint from Jerusalem to Bethlehem ahead of the holiday prayers, where he
was greeted by prominent members of Bethlehem's Christian community. Members of a Palestinian scout band perform
during Christmas celebrations at Manger Square in Bethlehem on December 24,
2019. Pizzaballa said he draws hope from the "desire, especially in the
youth, to do something for their societies, families." "This is my hope, is that these people
can make Christmas not just today, but everyday, because that's what we
need," he said. Christmas festivities are typically a boost for
Bethlehem's flagging economy and for the Holy Land's dwindling Christian
population, which has shrunk over the decades compared to the general
population. Palestinian Tourism Minister
Rula Maaya said the number of foreign tourists visiting the West Bank rose to
3.5 million in 2019, from 3 million the previous year. At least 15,000 pilgrims
were staying overnight in Bethlehem for Christmas, she said. "All hotels in the city are full
today," said Maaya, including hotels newly completed this year. Most of
Bethlehem is in the Palestinian-controlled area of the West Bank, but Israel's imposing
separation barrier runs through part of the city and is a constant reminder of
the complex political reality. Bethlehem
is close to Jerusalem but cut off from the holy city by Israel's separation
barrier.
^ I visited Bethlehem in October
2017 and went to the Church of the Nativity. ^
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