Video message from Bethlehem Municipality, delivered by its Mayor, Mr. Hanna Hanania:
As Christmas approaches, Bethlehem remains sad, just like all other Palestinian cities; we at Bethlehem Municipality, along with all churches and all local civil society Institutions, have decided to limit Christmas celebrations to prayers and worship without any festivities, lights, and celebrations outside the church.
This decision was made in rejection and condemnation of the Israeli aggression and the targeting of civilians, women, and children in the Gaza Strip.
Therefore, the Churches in Palestine made a clear position and sent many letters to the United States and the International Community to stop this aggression on our people in the Gaza Strip and to lift the siege and restrictions in the West Bank.
On the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, we at Bethlehem Municipality, as we always did and always will, are addressing the International Community to fulfill its obligations and ensure the Palestinian people enjoy the right to self-determination and establish their independent Palestinian State, with Jerusalem as its capital.
A few days ago, the International Middle East Media Center (www.imemc.org) also reached out to Archbishop Atallah Hanna of Sebastia from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and received the following statement.
An Invitation to Stand with Palestinian Christians this Advent and Christmas – Friends Of Sabeel North America
