Bethlehem, November 12, 2025 (WAFA) – Anan Shehadeh
Bethlehem Mayor Maher Qanawati said that the municipal council decided to resume Christmas celebrations after a two-year hiatus due to the Israeli occupation’s aggression against our people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem .
Qanawati added in a special interview with Wafa that this decision was blessed and approved by the Palestinian political leadership, headed by President Mahmoud Abbas and the Supreme Council of Churches, noting that the idea of resuming the celebrations came from the announcement of the establishment of the Christmas market, which received a great popular, political and religious welcome, which prompted the municipal council to hold an expanded meeting and make the decision to return to the celebrations.
He pointed out that Bethlehem needs to return after two years in which all manifestations of Christmas celebrations stopped due to the aggression against the Gaza Strip, and also in order to convey a message to the world that our people have a right and yearn for freedom and independence.
Qanawati said: We are in a race against time to prepare for the Christmas holidays, and we assure the world that despite what they see on television of attacks, killings and destruction in Gaza and the West Bank, the city of Bethlehem is safe and calm thanks to the efforts of the Palestinian security services, Bethlehem institutions and citizens.
When asked about the nature of the events, he said: Before the celebrations were suspended, the municipality used to begin its preparations in May of each year, but this year it was decided to resume the celebrations a few days ago, so the program of events will be announced in the coming days.
Qanawati pointed out that the municipality’s financial situation is very difficult, with about 70 million shekels in outstanding debts owed by citizens and other parties. He added that municipal employees have not received their salaries for three months due to the current situation, noting that the president granted the municipality $30,000 to make preparations.
He explained that there are meetings and contacts, both locally and internationally, to discuss the nature of the events, the latest of which was a meeting with 13 foreign ambassadors where the organization of artistic, heritage, cultural and theatrical events was discussed.
Qanawati stressed the importance of restoring life to the historic Al-Najma Street by organizing events along its length and neighborhoods, stressing that the events will not be limited to Manger Square but will be present in the city’s neighborhoods and alleys, and will also extend beyond it.
He pointed out that Manger Square and the streets and alleys of Bethlehem will be decorated with the decorations from previous years, noting that the Christmas tree will be returned to its place in Manger Square in a new look donated by citizen Shadi Bahnan, as it is 20 meters high and 10 meters in diameter, which is larger than its predecessor, which was 17.5 meters high and 7 meters in diameter.
Qanawati stressed that Gaza will be present in the Christmas atmosphere this year, noting that preparations are underway to prepare the Christmas story, which will depict a scene similar to the story of Herod and the killing of children, in reference to what is happening in the Gaza Strip in terms of crimes and targeting of children.
He added that the municipality has recently intensified its contacts with its 109 partner cities worldwide, and a large number of them, particularly Italian cities, have confirmed their participation in the Christmas events. He also mentioned another idea: each municipality would record a short, 12-second message to Palestine and the city of Bethlehem, which would be shown during the Christmas celebrations.
The mayor will also post between 7 and 10 videos daily, through which he will send messages to the world inviting people to visit Bethlehem.
Regarding the tree lighting ceremony, he said: It will be as it was before, attended by political and religious figures and citizens, while 150 political and religious figures from around the world will attend the event .
Qanawati emphasized that the municipality is racing against time to reactivate the Tourism Development Council, which has been inactive for some time, and has completed projects by bringing tourist groups from within the 1948 territories, in addition to preparing videos that show the historical, cultural and heritage areas in the governorate, as well as completing the “Let’s Go to Bethlehem” project, which highlighted heritage, historical and religious sites such as Al-Ubaidiya, Battir, Al-Khader, Tuqu’, Al-Khader, Artas, Beit Sahour, Beit Jala and others, with the aim of attracting tourism .
He pointed out that the Bethlehem Governorate is closed and besieged and contains (143) checkpoints and iron gates, which have restricted the movement of citizens, stressing that the governorate will overcome the obstacles of the occupation by all means in order to ensure the success of the Christmas celebrations.
He called on the owners of shops and establishments that had ceased operations to resume their activities, noting that the municipality had approved incentive discounts on dues and returns ranging between 30% and 40%.
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