The city of Bethlehem was devoid of the festive atmosphere typically seen during Christmas, especially in comparison to previous years. The Christmas tree was not placed in Manger Square, and there was no musical performance by scout bands during the entrance of Latin Patriarch Pier Battista Pizzaballa into the church square due to the Israeli war on Gaza. Instead of carrying musical instruments in the annual traditional procession to kick off the Christmas celebrations, scout members raised banners calling for an end to the war on Gaza. Some of the slogans on the banners read "Peace for Gaza and its people," "Gaza in our hearts," "We want life, not death," and "Our children want to play and laugh."
In a statement to reporters upon arriving at Manger Square, which appeared empty except for a few dozen citizens, Patriarch Pizzaballa remarked, "This is a very sad Christmas." He added, "As we can see, there is no atmosphere of peace because we are in a terrible war, and we express our sympathy for the families in Gaza, all families in Gaza, especially the Christian community in Gaza that is suffering. I know they are not alone in their suffering. There are over two million people suffering from displacement and hunger in unbearable conditions."
He continued, "We are here to pray not only for a ceasefire but to stop hostilities and suffering and to close this chapter because violence only begets violence." The patriarch clarified, "The message of Christmas is peace, not violence. Fair peace for all Palestinians who have long awaited their state and freedom." He added, "At this time, we must be united, and this is important. The enemy wants us divided... and the devil wants us divided. But we must be united. Our strength is in unity... Christians and Muslims. I say this to all Palestinians: unity is essential so that we can work together for rights and dignity and to end the occupation because that is the root of the issue." The patriarch expressed hope that "next Christmas would be filled with joy and life and children because Christmas without children is not a true Christmas."
The city's streets were not adorned as usual with various forms of lighting, and citizens, both Christians and Muslims, did not come to the square, resulting in a lack of festive displays and a focus solely on religious rituals.
