Bethlehem insists 'Christmas will not be canceled'
It's the place where Christmas is said to have started... but there's no cheer to be found this year.
All across Bethlehem inns are closed, the shepherds are likely to be under lockdown, and restaurant tables are unoccupied -- no tourists in sight.
Hotels that were adding new wings and floors in 2019 are now shuttered because of the coronavirus pandemic, and the absence of festive crowds is proving devastating to those whose livelihoods rely on tourism, like hotel owner, Elias al-Arja:
"I have worked in tourism for 30 years. We have had ups and downs because of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but never anything like this. The world used to stay open but today we live in devastation. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict never affected our business like the pandemic, which is all over the world."
It’s a marked difference to last year, when the Palestinian town was enjoying a booming festive season -- following a drop in violence and a surge in tourists and pilgrims.
Despite the lack of tourists, the traditional birthplace of Jesus will go ahead with its celebrations -- workers are getting on with the job of together the town's huge Christmas tree in Manger Square, and Mayor Anton Salman insists that Christmas is not going to be canceled.
"Today in Bethlehem, despite the coronavirus and the global health crisis, we are determined to have Christmas in Bethlehem. The message of Christmas to the world is hope, for a better future."
