Bethlehem's Christmas Celebrations: A Glimpse of Joy Amid Ongoing Struggles

Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, saw Christmas celebrations return after a two-year break, but the joy was muted by the harsh realities faced by Palestinians in the West Bank. The Church of Nativity hosted morning mass, with crowds gathering in Manger Square for the first time since the festivities were paused to show solidarity with Palestinians enduring the devastating war in Gaza. However, the number of attendees was lower than usual. Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti attributed this to Israeli military checkpoints that restrict movement in the West Bank. He described the region as under siege, with blocked roads and economic hardships making it difficult for people to travel or afford to attend the celebrations. The West Bank has seen a surge in Israeli military operations, home demolitions, and the expansion of Jewish settlements. This year alone, over 30, 000 Palestinians were displaced from their homes, marking the largest displacement crisis since 1967, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.Human rights groups have condemned the demolitions as a deliberate policy to displace Palestinians and make way for settlements. The Norwegian Refugee Council described it as a calculated effort to strip families of their homes, water, and livelihoods. Violence has also escalated, with at least 233 Palestinians killed this year, including 52 children, mostly by Israeli forces using live ammunition. Despite international criticism, Israel has continued to expand settlements in the West Bank. This month, the Israeli cabinet approved the legalization of 19 settler outposts, and in May, it announced plans to establish 22 new settlements, the largest expansion in over 30 years. These actions are widely considered illegal under international law. Israeli leaders have made it clear that they oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a settler himself, stated that the settlement expansions are aimed at preventing a Palestinian state. This stance has drawn criticism from 14 countries, which warned that such unilateral actions risk fueling further instability in the region.