Bethlehem (Palestine): The Bethlehem Christmas tree Bethlehem attracts thousands of people every year to celebrate with colorful light, but this time only a dozen people attended the event in view of Coronavirus infection. A small group of local residents and religious leaders took part in the ceremony of lighting the Christmas tree at Manger Square near the Church of the Nativity. Christians believe that Jesus was born here.
Others watched the program’s digital broadcast due to restrictions related to the prevention of coronavirus infection and were not directly involved. Some officials, including the Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shatyeh, attended the ceremony. Shatayyah said the Palestinian leadership is welcoming the New Year with a resolve to “deal more strongly with (Israeli) occupation” and end internal political divisions with the rival extremist Hamas group. Bethlehem Mayor Anton Salman said that this time modern technology was used to celebrate the Christmas tree with light and it was broadcast online.
