JourneyOnline
DESPITE POLITICAL conflict involving Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, Bethlehem remains the centre of Christian spirituality, especially at Christmas, says the Palestinian minister of tourism Khouloud Deibes.
"Christmas is a source of joy and pride for us Palestinians because here it happened," Deibes, a Christian resident of Bethlehem, said during a press briefing on 14 December.
She noted that Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem include those of the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Armenian Christians.
"Here we have the time also to celebrate our churches; they are living monuments, not museums." Deibes added, "We are still under occupation, people are still suffering. Christmas is a good occasion to show how the political situation is negatively impacting the Christian presence in the Holy Land."
