Today, Saturday, Christian denominations that follow the Western calendar prepare to celebrate Christmas.
The city of Bethlehem and its streets leading to Manger Square have put on their usual decorations, and these celebrations will be attended by Palestinians from all the governorates of the West Bank, who flocked to the night of the lighting of the Christmas tree.
In Manger Square the various scout teams will receive the procession of Patriarch Pierre Battista Pizzaballa, which will be attended by the mayor of Bethlehem, the governor and some officials, as well as Latin parishioners, priests and Franciscans.
Since the early hours of the morning, law enforcement personnel have been deployed throughout the city, through which official motorcades and the Patriarch’s convoy will pass.
The midnight mass will be held in the presence of numerous Palestinian officials, ministers from Arab and foreign countries and thousands of pilgrims. Tens of thousands of visitors are expected in Bethlehem, in the West Bank, for the annual Christmas procession.
Bethlehem hopes to compensate for the economic losses it recently suffered during the holidays. Fears of an increase in violence between Israelis and Palestinians still hang in the air.
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