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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Power bank catches fire inside stationary IndiGo plane at Chandigarh airport; all evacuated
New Delhi (PTI): The power bank of a passenger onboard a stationary IndiGo aircraft caught fire at the Chandigarh airport on Tuesday, and all passengers and the crew were evacuated, according to a source.
In a statement, the airline said that when IndiGo flight 6E 108 from Hyderabad to Chandigarh was stationary after landing, an incident involving a customer's personal electronic equipment catching fire was reported.
"In the interest of safety, an immediate evacuation was carried out, and all the relevant authorities were immediately informed. All customers have been safely moved to the terminal and are being attended to by the team to ensure their well-being," the statement said.
The source said that soon after the aircraft landed, there was smoke coming from one of the overhead bins and all onboard were evacuated.
The smoke was due to the power bank catching fire, the source said, adding that no one sustained major injuries.
Details about the number of passengers could not be ascertained.
