Bethlehem marks second Christmas under pall of pandemic

The biblical birthplace of Jesus celebrates with small crowds of locals instead of thousands of faithful from all over the world

Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, right, greets a Palestinian man in the biblical city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. AFP

People visit the Church of the Nativity, revered as the site of Jesus Christ's birth, during Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem. AFP

People gather outside the Church of the Nativity. AFP

Christian pilgrims visit the Church of the Nativity. AFP

Pierbattista Pizzaballa, centre, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, waits before crossing into Bethlehem to attend Christmas celebrations in Jerusalem. Reuters

People gather outside the Church of the Nativity. AFP

Pierbattista Pizzaballa greets people as he arrives to attend Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem. Reuters

The convoy of Pierbattista Pizzaballa is escorted by mounted Israeli police officers before crossing into Bethlehem. Reuters

Palestinian scouts parade outside the Church of the Nativity, with security forces standing guard. AFP

Palestinian scout pipe band members parade through Manger Square at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank, on Christmas Eve. AP Photo

Palestinian scout band pipers perform in Manger Square. Bethlehem is facing its second Christmas hit by the coronavirus, with smaller crowds expected. AP Photo

Palestinian scouts parade outside the Church of the Nativity. AFP

Visitors to the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, on Christmas Eve. AP Photo

Palestinian security personnel gather in front of the Church of the Nativity. AFP

The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank. Reuters

Palestinians have increased security as worshippers come to Bethlehem for Christmas Eve. However, coronavirus restrictions have reduced numbers making the pilgrimage. Reuters

The Church of the Nativity is built on the site traditionally considered to be the birthplace of Jesus. Reuters

The original church was built between 330 and 333, making the site the oldest continuously used as a place of worship in Christianity. Reuters

A street vendor selling festive balloons at Manger Square, next to the Church of the Nativity. The church is administered jointly by the Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Armenian Apostolic, and Syriac Orthodox churches. EPA

A Christmas tree decorates Manger Square, next to the Church of the Nativity. EPA

The town of Bethlehem marked a second Christmas Eve hit by coronavirus on Friday, with small crowds and grey, gloomy weather dampening celebrations in the traditional birthplace of Jesus.

A ban on nearly all incoming air traffic by Israel, the main entry point for foreign visitors heading to the occupied West Bank, kept international tourists away for a second consecutive year.

The ban is meant to slow the spread of the Omicron variant, which has shaken Christmas celebrations around the world.

Instead, local authorities were counting on the Holy Land’s small Christian community to lift spirits.

Bethlehem’s mayor, Tony Salman, said the town was optimistic that 2021 would be better than last year’s Christmas, when even local residents stayed at home due to lockdown restrictions.

Bethlehem planned a return of its traditional marching band parades and street celebrations.

“Last year our festival was virtual, but this year it will be face to face with popular participation,” Mr Salman said.

Police erected barricades early on Friday as scout bands marched through Manger Square banging drums and holding flags before the expected arrival from Jerusalem of Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic clergyman in the Holy Land.

He was due to celebrate Midnight Mass at the nearby Church of the Nativity, which houses the grotto where Christians believe Jesus Christ was born.

About 100 tourists, nearly all of them Palestinians, milled about behind the barricades to celebrate the occasion.

Before the pandemic, Bethlehem would host thousands of Christian pilgrims from around the world, bringing a strong dose of holiday spirit to the town and a huge jolt to the local economy.

The loss of international tourism has hit Bethlehem’s hotels, restaurants and gift shops especially hard.