RAMALLAH, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Officials in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Wednesday launched preparations for this year's Christmas celebrations, the first after a two-year pause caused by Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip.
At a press conference at Bethlehem's municipality building, Mayor Maher Qanawati said the city remains "a symbol of peace and hope" despite the pressures facing Palestinians. He said Bethlehem's resilience and its humanitarian message continue to "serve as an example for others."
The mayor said the Christmas tree in Manger Square will be lit on Saturday in a ceremony attended by Palestinian officials, diplomats accredited to the State of Palestine and representatives from Bethlehem's European sister cities.
More than 3.5 million tourists visited the Palestinian territories in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic, most of them in Bethlehem, according to official figures.
Tourism and Antiquities Minister Hani al-Hayek said this year's celebrations come during one of the most difficult periods Palestinians have faced. He said tourism is essential to preserving Palestinian heritage and maintaining the area's place on the global tourism map.
Bethlehem police chief Murad Qandah said all security preparations for the tree-lighting and related events are complete. He said more than 600 officers will be deployed, and a new support and rescue unit has been created to improve emergency response and ensure visitor safety.
Bethlehem, home to the Church of the Nativity built in the fourth century over the grotto where Christians believe Jesus was born, is a major destination for pilgrims worldwide. Under the 1993 Oslo Accords, civil and security authority in Bethlehem was handed to the Palestinian Authority in 1995. ■
