WEST BANK: Town of Bethlehem lights up a giant Christmas tree next to the church of the Holy Nativity

Record ID: 560818

  • Title: WEST BANK: Town of Bethlehem lights up a giant Christmas tree next to the church of the Holy Nativity
  • Date: 16th December 2009
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LUNA AMIN, ONE OF THE CHOIR'S MEMBERS, SAYING: "These are simple, quiet and spiritual Christmas hymns. They contain spiritual words, from this special place, that is Jesus' birthplace,"
  • Embargoed: 31st December 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA64CAVRDE5V3K87FQ1VLKZFXK
  • Story Text: A ten metre (32 feet) tall Christmas tree outside the church of the Holy Nativity in Bethlehem's Manger Square was set alight on Tuesday (December 15) officially starting Christmas celebrations in the town believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
    The town's mayor Victor Batarsa delivered a christmas message to the world.
    "The message from Bethlehem is that of love and peace. This is the city of peace, so we send the message of love and peace not only to Bethlehem residents and the Palestinians but to the whole world," he said.
    The Christmas cheer was felt everywhere in town bustling with locals and tourists.
    Doctors and patients in the town's Basma Centre for Cancer were busy decorating hospital's corridors and setting up the Christmas tree.
    "For young cancer patients, decorating the tree and the hospital means a lot. They feel joyful when they decorate the tree. Even if they are Muslims or Christians, this brings joy and happiness to them," Raeda Hassasna, a volunteer at the hospital said.
    Calm has returned to Bethlehem after years of heavy fighting during the Palestinian uprising in 2000 and last year the West Bank town has enjoyed its first tourism boom in a decade.
    About 1.5 million people visited Bethlehem in 2008, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism.
    Members of Saint Catherine's Church choir were busy rehearsing hymns they will sing during the Midnight mass on Christmas Eve.
    "These are simple, quiet and spiritual Christmas hymns. They contain spiritual words, from this special place, that is Jesus' birthplace," said Luna Amin, one of the choir's members.
    Bethlehem scouts made preparations for the festive season.
    "The Assyrian scouts are preparing to participate in all celebrations, both national and religious celebrations. Like every year, we prepare for Christmas celebrations, this year you will see something special from the Assyrian scouts," Tony Issa, the scout leader said.
    Palestinian Minister of Tourism, Khouloud Dabis, referring to the separation barrier around Bethlehem, said the town's residents were determined to open the town to visitors despite the surrounding wall.
    "The message of peace is going out again from Bethlehem after more than 2,000 years.
    We are opening Bethlehem to all tourists and pilgrims and inviting them to come and enjoy the spirituality of the birthplace of Jesus Christ. But we are also calling upon everyone to look into the suffering of Palestinians and of Bethlehem still surrounded by the wall, " Dabis said.
    Israel says the barrier has been erected to reduce violence. Palestinians see the construction of the wall as a land grab and a tool to consolidate Israeli control of Jerusalem.
    Despite the watchtowers on the nearby wall, hundreds of locals and visitors put up a cheer as Christmas lights were lit on the festive tree.
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