‘Half joy, half sadness’: Christmas celebrations resume in Bethlehem

Al JazeeraCenterEN 6 min read 100% complete by Monjed JadouDecember 25, 2025 at 07:25 AM

AI Summary

long article 6 min

In December 2025, Bethlehem resumed Christmas celebrations for the first time in two years, marked by both joy and sorrow. Festivities were suspended in 2023 and 2024 in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Celebrations included scout troupes marching in Manger Square, blending Christmas carols with Palestinian music. Despite a recent ceasefire in Gaza, Israeli military raids continue in the occupied West Bank, where over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in the past two years. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, attended the celebrations and conveyed a message of peace and light from Bethlehem to the world.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Manger Square ×240% Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem 50% Pierbattista Pizzaballa ×260% Palestinians ×470% Gaza ×375% Israel ×480% West Bank ×585% Bethlehem ×795%

Keywords

christmas celebrations 100% bethlehem 90% palestinians 80% israeli raids 70% west bank 70% gaza 60% manger square 50% israeli military 50% latin patriarch of jerusalem 40%