TRUMP SEEN AS A CHRISTMAS KILLJOY
Palestinian Christians say his Jerusalem recognition has dampened the spirit
BETHLEHEM
UNITED States VicePresident Mike Pence may have postponed his visit, but Palestinian Christians still say Washington’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital is spoiling their Christmas.
In the city here, thousands plan to celebrate Christmas, including the midnight mass at the Church of the Nativity, built on the site considered the birthplace of Jesus. In good years, the West Bank town is flooded with Palestinian and foreign visitors.
But in the weeks before festivities this year, the city appeared almost empty of tourists — with nearby clashes between Palestinian protesters and the Israeli army keeping many away.
In the courtyard next to the church, a towering Christmas tree adorned with lights has had few visitors, apart from street vendors selling Santa hats and Palestinians taking selfies.
Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the most senior Roman Catholic official in the Middle East, said on Wednesday there had been a marked increase overall in religious tourists this year.
But since US President Donald Trump’s declaration on Dec 6, “dozens” of groups had cancelled planned visits.
“Of course, this created tension around Jerusalem and this diverted attention from Christmas,” he said.
Jane Zalfou, a 37-year-old local Christian, said a lot of Christmas celebrations had been called off following the decision, which had “killed the joy” in the community.
“Music, fireworks and many other things have been cancelled. What happened wasn’t a small thing — it is a big deal. The Palestinian people have been waiting for so long to have their rights.”
The irony that American Christian support is one of the driving factors in Trump’s embassy move is not lost on Palestinian Christians.
They see their fate as part of the wider Palestinian community, which views Israel’s occupation as the largest problem they face.
Mitri Raheb, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church here, said Christian Americans supporting Israel were ignoring the ongoing occupation of the Palestine.
“The essence of the Bible is freedom, not slavery; liberation, not occupation,” he said.
“Unfortunately Trump and his people are sacrificing the Palestinian Christians for their political agenda.”