Bethlehem celebrates a quiet Christmas amid Israeli attacks on Gaza
Town has “limited its joy” in solidarity with those suffering in Gaza: Bethlehem Mayor
Jerusalem: Bethlehem, the city in the occupied West Bank believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, marked another somber Christmas amid the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. For the second consecutive year, the town's usual festive cheer was absent, with no lights, decorations, or tourists in the central Manger Square. Bethlehem's mayor, Anton Salman, said the town had “limited its joy” in solidarity with those suffering in Gaza.
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, led a religious mass at the Church of the Nativity, but the event was subdued compared to previous years. Palestinian scouts, instead of their usual vibrant performances, marched silently, with some carrying signs that read, “We want life, not death.” Security measures were heightened around the church, with barriers placed near the site believed to be Jesus' birthplace.
The lack of festivities has severely impacted Bethlehem's economy, which relies heavily on tourism, especially during Christmas. Visitor numbers have plummeted from 2 million in 2019 to under 100,000 in 2024, according to the Palestinian Tourism Ministry. The mayor noted that unemployment in the city is near 50%, double the regional average. Local businesses, such as coffee vendors near the Mosque of Omar, are facing tough times, with one vendor expressing hope for a return of tourists once the war in Gaza ends.
The cancellation of Christmas celebrations reflects the broader suffering of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation, with Mayor Salman emphasising the need for international action to end their suffering.
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RR beat RCB by six wickets in IPL
Guwahati (PTI): Blistering fifties by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Dhruv Jurel powered Rajasthan Royals to a six-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their IPL match here on Friday.
Sent in to bat, RCB rode on a fighting half-century by skipper Rajat Patidar (63) to post 201 for 8.
Virat Kohli (32), Romario Shepherd (22) and Venkatesh Iyer (29) also chipped in with useful contributions.
In reply, Sooryavanshi (78 off 26 balls) and Dhruv Jurel (81 not out off 43 balls) shared a 37-ball 108-run partnership for the second wicket to set the platform. Krunal Pandya (2/30) tried to bring them back with back-to-back wickets.
But Jurel, in the company of Ravindra Jadeja (24), completed the task with another 68-run stand, with two overs to spare.
For RR, Jofra Archer (2/33), Ravi Bishnoi (2/32) and Brijesh Sharma (2/37) took two wickets.
Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 201 for 8 in 20 overs (Rajat Patidar 63; Jofra Archer 2/33, Ravi Bishnoi 2/32, Brijesh Sharma 2/37).
Rajasthan Royals: 202 for 4 in 18 overs (Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 78, Dhruv Jurel 80 not out; Krunal Pandya 2/30, Josh Hazlewood 2/44).
