Bethlehem bracing for Christmas rush with more inns and rooms

Thousands of pilgrims from around the world flocked to Bethlehem to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood-celebrities-share-heartwarming-christmas-pictures-186413">celebrate Christmas </a>at the birthplace of Jesus, which witnessed its most cheerful celebrations in many years, breaking the despondency of last year in the wake of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/military-santa-tracker-norad-live-despite-us-government-shutdown-186404">US administration</a>'s declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The Manger Square, where tourists and locals generally jostle for space before the midnight mass, was abuzz with activities on a cold day as traditional march led by Palestinian boy and girl scouts kicked off Christmas celebrations on Monday.

Playing drums and bagpipes they paraded past a 16 metre giant Christmas tree in the Manger Square outside the ancient Church of the Nativity, the traditional birthplace of Jesus.

All the Bethlehem hotels were fully booked and the security situation relatively calm as the city is preparing to host an "astounding" tourists overnight, the "numbers we have not seen for many years", Palestinian Tourism Minister Rula Ma'ayah said.&nbsp;

"We have never received this number of tourists coming to Palestine," Ma'ayah said, adding that "In a city like Bethlehem, tourism creates waves throughout the economy."

"Hotels in the city have been booked to their full capacity for a few weeks leading into today's celebrations", said Fadi Kattan a travel agent.

The city's Hotel Association had predicted occupancy of more than 95 per cent in the build-up to the festivities this year but workers at Hotels near the Church of Nativity said that rooms were in short supply as the number of foreign visitors exceeded their expectations this year.&nbsp;

"We are fully booked during the Christmas season," Wissam Salsa, Manager of the Walled Off Hotel, said jubilantly.&nbsp;

Security was tight in the city as paramilitary Palestinian police armed with assault rifles patrolled the cobblestone streets.

Israel also eased security restrictions and made all possible efforts to make tourists feel safe.&nbsp;

With a relative lull in violence, the region has seen an increase in the number of tourists coming to Israel and the West Bank city of Bethlehem, which is under the control of the Palestinian Authority (PA).&nbsp;

Ma'ayah noted that Bethlehem, located in the Palestinian-controlled area of the West Bank, was preparing to host an "astounding" 10,000 tourists overnight, "numbers we haven't seen for many years", and that the total&nbsp;number of visitors would exceed 3 million this year.

Last year, US President Donald Trump's decision to declare Jerusalem as Israel's capital incensed the Palestinians and ignited clashes in the region and worldwide protests that kept the pilgrims away from visiting the holy land.&nbsp;

The decision had taken the joy out of Christmas for the people in the holy land who witnessed a low key celebration with thousands of tourists choosing to stay away from festivities.

The boom in Bethlehem's tourism comes as Israel also enjoys a record number of tourists. Israel's Tourism Ministry is projecting that more than four million visitors will visit the holy land in 2018.&nbsp;

Some 3.8 million tourists visited Israel in the first 11 months of the year, 14 per cent more than in the corresponding period last year.&nbsp; 
Coffee vendors and gift stores in Bethlehem also seemed to have come alive this year.

"We hope this revival is not short-lived and tourism continues to grow. The city is heavily dependent on tourists", Khaled, a gift shop owner, said adding, "our lives are intertwined with every small political development in the region. Our smiles can fade instantly with just some violent spark erupting around".&nbsp;

The Christmas festivities traditionally bring a boost of holiday cheer to Christians in the holy land, whose numbers have shrunk over the decades relative to the general population and now make up just a minority in Jesus' birthplace.

The city today has a strong Muslim majority of at least 70 per cent, with only 30 per cent Christians. It was once a Christian dominated city but emigration arising out of a wave of violence and economic hardships has seen its Christian residents moving to several countries across the world.

Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the holy land, entered Bethlehem on Monday crossing an Israeli military checkpoint that divides Jerusalem from Bethlehem.

The top cleric later addressed a packed house of worshippers and dignitaries at the Church of Nativity that included Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah.

Visitors this year were able to view the Church of the Nativity's newly restored mosaics dating to the Crusader era after they were recently cleaned and repaired in a major project.&nbsp;

Pizzaballa said the recent restoration of the church was a metaphor for recent events in the region.

"The mosaics were splendid, but covered by a layer of dirt", he said during his traditional address.

"This last year was terrible", the cleric said referring to upsurge in violence, "so we all tend to think that all is dirty. But if you remove this layer of dirt we see how wonderful the mosaics are".

"Since it's Christmas, we have to be positive," the archbishop stressed.

Thousands of pilgrims from around the world flocked to Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas at the birthplace of Jesus, which witnessed its most cheerful celebrations in many years, breaking the despondency of last year in the wake of US administration's declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Thousands of pilgrims from around the world flocked to Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas at the birthplace of Jesus, which witnessed its most cheerful celebrations in many years, breaking the despondency of last year in the wake of US administration's declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. The Manger Square, where tourists and locals generally jostle for space before the midnight mass, was abuzz with activities on a cold day as traditional march led by Palestinian boy and girl scouts kicked off Christmas celebrations on Monday. Playing drums and bagpipes they paraded past a 16 metre giant Christmas tree in the Manger Square outside the ancient Church of the Nativity, the traditional birthplace of Jesus. All the Bethlehem hotels were fully booked and the security situation relatively calm as the city is preparing to host an "astounding" tourists overnight, the "numbers we have not seen for many years", Palestinian Tourism Minister Rula Ma'ayah said. "We have never received this number of tourists coming to Palestine," Ma'ayah said, adding that "In a city like Bethlehem, tourism creates waves throughout the economy." "Hotels in the city have been booked to their full capacity for a few weeks leading into today's celebrations", said Fadi Kattan a travel agent. The city's Hotel Association had predicted occupancy of more than 95 per cent in the build-up to the festivities this year but workers at Hotels near the Church of Nativity said that rooms were in short supply as the number of foreign visitors exceeded their expectations this year. "We are fully booked during the Christmas season," Wissam Salsa, Manager of the Walled Off Hotel, said jubilantly. Security was tight in the city as paramilitary Palestinian police armed with assault rifles patrolled the cobblestone streets. Israel also eased security restrictions and made all possible efforts to make tourists feel safe. With a relative lull in violence, the region has seen an increase in the number of tourists coming to Israel and the West Bank city of Bethlehem, which is under the control of the Palestinian Authority (PA). Ma'ayah noted that Bethlehem, located in the Palestinian-controlled area of the West Bank, was preparing to host an "astounding" 10,000 tourists overnight, "numbers we haven't seen for many years", and that the total number of visitors would exceed 3 million this year. Last year, US President Donald Trump's decision to declare Jerusalem as Israel's capital incensed the Palestinians and ignited clashes in the region and worldwide protests that kept the pilgrims away from visiting the holy land. The decision had taken the joy out of Christmas for the people in the holy land who witnessed a low key celebration with thousands of tourists choosing to stay away from festivities. The boom in Bethlehem's tourism comes as Israel also enjoys a record number of tourists. Israel's Tourism Ministry is projecting that more than four million visitors will visit the holy land in 2018. Some 3.8 million tourists visited Israel in the first 11 months of the year, 14 per cent more than in the corresponding period last year. Coffee vendors and gift stores in Bethlehem also seemed to have come alive this year. "We hope this revival is not short-lived and tourism continues to grow. The city is heavily dependent on tourists", Khaled, a gift shop owner, said adding, "our lives are intertwined with every small political development in the region. Our smiles can fade instantly with just some violent spark erupting around". The Christmas festivities traditionally bring a boost of holiday cheer to Christians in the holy land, whose numbers have shrunk over the decades relative to the general population and now make up just a minority in Jesus' birthplace. The city today has a strong Muslim majority of at least 70 per cent, with only 30 per cent Christians. It was once a Christian dominated city but emigration arising out of a wave of violence and economic hardships has seen its Christian residents moving to several countries across the world. Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the holy land, entered Bethlehem on Monday crossing an Israeli military checkpoint that divides Jerusalem from Bethlehem. The top cleric later addressed a packed house of worshippers and dignitaries at the Church of Nativity that included Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah. Visitors this year were able to view the Church of the Nativity's newly restored mosaics dating to the Crusader era after they were recently cleaned and repaired in a major project. Pizzaballa said the recent restoration of the church was a metaphor for recent events in the region. "The mosaics were splendid, but covered by a layer of dirt", he said during his traditional address. "This last year was terrible", the cleric said referring to upsurge in violence, "so we all tend to think that all is dirty. But if you remove this layer of dirt we see how wonderful the mosaics are". "Since it's Christmas, we have to be positive," the archbishop stressed.

Thousands flock to Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas at Jesus's birthplace

Palestinian scouts played drums and bagpipes as Christmas celebrations began in Bethlehem on Sunday, but many tourists stayed away with tensions still simmering following Washington&#39;s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital.

The December 6 announcement by US President Donald Trump unleashed demonstrations and clashes, including in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank where Christians will mark the birth of Jesus in a midnight mass.

On Bethlehem&#39;s Manger Square, hundreds of Palestinians and tourists gathered in the cold near a huge nativity scene and Christmas tree to watch the annual scout parade.

They took pictures as a marching band made its way through the square towards the Church of the Nativity, built over the spot where tradition says Mary gave birth to Jesus.

The square usually throngs with tourists on Christmas Eve, but clashes between Palestinian protesters and the Israeli army in the past weeks have kept people away this year.

Twelve Palestinians have been killed since Trump&#39;s declaration, including a 19-year-old who died of his wounds on Sunday nine days after he was shot during a Gaza protest.

Nahil Banura, a Christian woman from Beit Sahur, a town near Bethlehem, said Trump&#39;s decision had made the run-up to Christmas &quot;miserable&quot;.

&quot;People are only going out to vent,&quot; said the 67-year-old, whose granddaughter wore a Santa Claus hat and clutched a pink balloon.

Perhaps as few as 50,000 Palestinian Christians make up just around two percent of the predominantly Muslim population of the West Bank and east Jerusalem.

Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, arrived in Bethlehem after noon and shook hands with local personalities on his way to the Church of the Nativity.

Pizzaballa said last week that &quot;dozens&quot; of foreign visitors had cancelled their Christmas trips after Trump&#39;s announcement.

But Israel&#39;s tourism ministry has said Christmas preparations have not been affected, and it expects a 20 percent increase in the number of Christian pilgrims this year compared with 2016.

An Israeli police spokesman said that extra units would be deployed in Jerusalem and at the crossings to Bethlehem to ease the travel and access for the &quot;thousands of tourists and visitors&quot;.

And the Israeli army officer in charge of the Bethlehem area said that while tensions had been high in the area following the Jerusalem announcement, he did not expect trouble on Christmas.

&quot;We&#39;ve reinforced our troops, and are ready for any scenario,&quot; Lieutenant Colonel Benny Meir told AFP.

Israel seized east Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war and later annexed it, in moves never recognised by the international community.

Palestinians view east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, and interpreted Trump&#39;s statement as rejecting their right to a capital in east Jerusalem, although the Americans deny this.

In a statement before Christmas, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said Trump&#39;s announcement &quot;encouraged the illegal disconnection between the holy cities of Bethlehem and Jerusalem, both separated for the first time in over 2,000 years of Christianity&quot;.

Mitri Raheb, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, told AFP on Sunday that Christmas this year is a &quot;mix of sadness and joy&quot; because of the US decision on Jerusalem, which he called &quot;the beating heart of Palestine.&quot;

In neighbouring Egypt, Coptic Christians who celebrate Christmas on January 6 saw a church in Giza attacked by a mob following Muslim prayers on Friday, the latest in some 20 such incidents in 2017.

Hundreds entered the church, chanting slogans calling for its demolition, destroying furniture and attacking worshippers before security forces restored order.

Christmas decorations have meanwhile become more visible in Christian areas of the Syrian capital Damascus this year.

In the central city of Homs, Christians will celebrate Christmas with great fanfare for the first time in years after the end of battles between regime and rebel forces, with processions, shows for children and even decorations among the ruins.

In Iraq too, this year marks a positive turning point for the Christian community in the northern city of Mosul.

Hymns filled a Mosul church on Sunday as worshippers celebrated Christmas for the first time in four years after the city&#39;s recapture from the Islamic State group in July.

The December 6 announcement by US President Donald Trump unleashed demonstrations and clashes, including in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank where Christians will mark the birth of Jesus in a midnight mass

Palestinian scouts played drums and bagpipes as Christmas celebrations began in Bethlehem on Sunday, but many tourists stayed away with tensions still simmering following Washington's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. The December 6 announcement by US President Donald Trump unleashed demonstrations and clashes, including in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank where Christians will mark the birth of Jesus in a midnight mass. On Bethlehem's Manger Square, hundreds of Palestinians and tourists gathered in the cold near a huge nativity scene and Christmas tree to watch the annual scout parade. They took pictures as a marching band made its way through the square towards the Church of the Nativity, built over the spot where tradition says Mary gave birth to Jesus. The square usually throngs with tourists on Christmas Eve, but clashes between Palestinian protesters and the Israeli army in the past weeks have kept people away this year. Twelve Palestinians have been killed since Trump's declaration, including a 19-year-old who died of his wounds on Sunday nine days after he was shot during a Gaza protest. Nahil Banura, a Christian woman from Beit Sahur, a town near Bethlehem, said Trump's decision had made the run-up to Christmas "miserable". "People are only going out to vent," said the 67-year-old, whose granddaughter wore a Santa Claus hat and clutched a pink balloon. Perhaps as few as 50,000 Palestinian Christians make up just around two percent of the predominantly Muslim population of the West Bank and east Jerusalem. Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, arrived in Bethlehem after noon and shook hands with local personalities on his way to the Church of the Nativity. Pizzaballa said last week that "dozens" of foreign visitors had cancelled their Christmas trips after Trump's announcement. But Israel's tourism ministry has said Christmas preparations have not been affected, and it expects a 20 percent increase in the number of Christian pilgrims this year compared with 2016. An Israeli police spokesman said that extra units would be deployed in Jerusalem and at the crossings to Bethlehem to ease the travel and access for the "thousands of tourists and visitors". And the Israeli army officer in charge of the Bethlehem area said that while tensions had been high in the area following the Jerusalem announcement, he did not expect trouble on Christmas. "We've reinforced our troops, and are ready for any scenario," Lieutenant Colonel Benny Meir told AFP. Israel seized east Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war and later annexed it, in moves never recognised by the international community. Palestinians view east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, and interpreted Trump's statement as rejecting their right to a capital in east Jerusalem, although the Americans deny this. In a statement before Christmas, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said Trump's announcement "encouraged the illegal disconnection between the holy cities of Bethlehem and Jerusalem, both separated for the first time in over 2,000 years of Christianity". Mitri Raheb, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, told AFP on Sunday that Christmas this year is a "mix of sadness and joy" because of the US decision on Jerusalem, which he called "the beating heart of Palestine." In neighbouring Egypt, Coptic Christians who celebrate Christmas on January 6 saw a church in Giza attacked by a mob following Muslim prayers on Friday, the latest in some 20 such incidents in 2017. Hundreds entered the church, chanting slogans calling for its demolition, destroying furniture and attacking worshippers before security forces restored order. Christmas decorations have meanwhile become more visible in Christian areas of the Syrian capital Damascus this year. In the central city of Homs, Christians will celebrate Christmas with great fanfare for the first time in years after the end of battles between regime and rebel forces, with processions, shows for children and even decorations among the ruins. In Iraq too, this year marks a positive turning point for the Christian community in the northern city of Mosul. Hymns filled a Mosul church on Sunday as worshippers celebrated Christmas for the first time in four years after the city's recapture from the Islamic State group in July.

Jerusalem tensions cast shadow over Holy Land Christmas

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