All articles tagged with #bethlehem
Crispy Halal, a family-owned halal restaurant, opened a new, larger location in Bethlehem, Pa., offering a variety of halal dishes including gyros, fried chicken, and sandwiches, with plans for further regional expansion.
Christmas was celebrated in Bethlehem after a two-year hiatus, but festivities were limited due to Israeli military checkpoints and ongoing conflict in the West Bank, where Palestinians face displacement, home demolitions, and violence amid increased settlement expansion and political tensions.
Christmas celebrations returned to Bethlehem after two years, but festivities were limited due to Israeli military checkpoints and ongoing violence in the West Bank, where record demolitions, displacement, and settlement expansion continue amidst a backdrop of conflict and political tension.
Pope Leo XIV delivered his first Christmas Mass, criticizing a 'distorted economy' and calling for global peace, while celebrations in Bethlehem and around the world highlight hopes for recovery and unity amid ongoing conflicts and challenges.
Thousands gathered in Bethlehem's Manger Square to celebrate Christmas, marking a return to festivities after two years of cancellations due to conflict, with hopes for peace and normalcy amid ongoing tensions in the region.
Bethlehem's annual Christmas Eve tree lighting ceremony took place with thousands attending, marking the first since the Gaza war began in 2023, amid a significant decline in tourism and economic hardship, but also a hopeful call for peace and return of pilgrims.
Bethlehem is set to celebrate Christmas for the first time since the Gaza war, marking a significant moment of peace and resilience in the region.
Christians in Bethlehem face severe challenges due to Israeli occupation, economic decline, land seizures, and violence, leading to a significant decline in Christian population and cultural heritage, with many leaving the Holy Land.
Bethlehem has resumed its Christmas celebrations for the first time in three years, symbolizing resilience and hope amid ongoing conflict in Gaza, with the town lighting up its Christmas decorations following a ceasefire in October.
Palestinian Christians in the West Bank are cautiously celebrating Christmas with modest festivities after two years of subdued celebrations due to regional conflict and violence, amid ongoing tensions, settler attacks, and political struggles, highlighting both resilience and hope for peace.
Christmas in Bethlehem has been revived this year with renewed festivities and hope following a ceasefire in Gaza, bringing joy and economic relief to the city after years of conflict and hardship, despite ongoing tensions in the region.
A business in Bethlehem has been ordered to vacate due to shifting ground on the property, which poses an imminent safety threat, prompting ongoing monitoring and the relocation of natural gas pipelines.
Part of Bethlehem's Walnut Street Garage collapsed, causing loud noises and shaking reported by residents in the area. The garage, built in the 1970s, has been a controversial issue as it closed in January, with plans to replace it with an apartment building and smaller garage drawing criticism. It is unclear whether the collapse was planned as part of the demolition, and the situation is still developing.
The town of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank is experiencing a bleak Christmas season due to Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip and economic hardship. The streets are empty, roads leading to the city are sealed off, and Christmas festivities have been canceled in solidarity with Gaza. The tourism sector, which was just recovering from the pandemic, has suffered significant losses, threatening the economy of Bethlehem. Local businesses, including a woodcarving shop that has been passed down through generations, have been severely impacted. The Palestinian minister for tourism estimates losses of $200 million, with Bethlehem being the hardest hit. Religious leaders in Bethlehem have canceled celebrations and created Nativity scenes reflecting the suffering in Gaza, calling for justice and a ceasefire.
The war between Israel and Hamas, along with the destruction in Gaza, has led to the cancellation of many Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem, a Palestinian city in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The conflict has disrupted tourism, with new Israeli checkpoints making travel more complicated, and the sadness and destruction have dampened the festive spirit. Many Palestinian churches and Christian communities have decided to call off the usual celebrations, focusing instead on the religious aspects of the holiday. Bethlehem, typically bedazzled with decorations and lights, is now dark and quiet, reflecting the somber mood.