On Saturday, celebrations for Christmas according to the Western calendar began with the arrival of the Christmas procession from the Latin Patriarchate at the Jaffa Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem to the square of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, West Bank. Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa called for peace and reconciliation. In statements to reporters after crossing the checkpoint between Jerusalem and Bethlehem, he said, "We live in times of difficult challenges in Ukraine; here in the Holy Land, unfortunately, it is a very difficult time that has seen much violence this year, especially in Palestine."
He added, "But the Christmas message is a message of peace, and we want to continue to believe that it is possible to change things in any way. We will be vigilant and very clear about what we need to do and what we should say to maintain the importance of unity and reconciliation among all."
Hundreds of citizens gathered in the square of the Church of the Nativity, which was decorated with a Christmas tree. Hundreds of scouts marched in various outfits with musical instruments, playing Christmas carols. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stated, "Palestine is celebrating these days with countries around the world the holy Christmas, the birth of Christ, the Messenger of Love and Peace." In a message broadcast by the official agency on the occasion of the Christmas celebrations, he added, "Where the Palestinian flag is raised, and the Christmas tree is lit accompanied by religious choirs with their beautiful hymns, and scout bands, with the participation of all our Palestinian brothers and sisters in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and everywhere in the homeland and abroad, our people remember the story of the birth of baby Jesus in the manger of Bethlehem."
He continued, stating that Christmas celebrations are "a religious and national occasion, a message of hope, love, and peace that brings joy and tolerance to every Palestinian home and to millions of believers around the world." Bethlehem Mayor Hanna Hanania noted, "This year stands out for Bethlehem in receiving tourist delegations after a complete halt during the COVID-19 period, as it received around 130,000 tourists last month with a hotel occupancy rate of about 85%, which is a promising figure."
He added to Reuters during his presence in the square of the Church of the Nativity, "Our message, which is the message of the people of Bethlehem, is that the spirit of Christmas gathers us as a Palestinian people and connects us with all humanity because the message of peace originated from the city of Bethlehem with the birth of Christ, the Messenger of Peace."
He continued, "Life has returned to the city of Bethlehem after the COVID-19 pandemic, and we tell everyone that Bethlehem is a safe city, the city of the Nativity welcomes everyone and invites everyone to come and celebrate the holy Christmas and visit the Church of the Nativity and other religious and historical sites in this city." Patriarch Pizzaballa will preside over the midnight mass at the Church of the Nativity, attended by several official Palestinian figures and citizens.
