The Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs convened its second preparatory meeting to plan Christmas celebrations according to the Eastern calendar. The meeting, chaired by Dr. Ramzi Khouri, member of the PLO Executive Committee and Head of the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine, was attended by Metropolitan Benedictus, Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Nativity Church; Governor of Bethlehem Muhammad Taha Abu Alia; representatives from the Syriac Orthodox and Coptic Orthodox Churches; the mayors of Bethlehem, Beit Sahour, and Beit Jala; directors of security apparatus in Bethlehem Governorate; the Secretary General of Fatah in Bethlehem; as well as representatives from Orthodox associations, scouting groups, and other members of the committee.
The meeting focused on preparations to host official delegations, adhering to national decisions and directives from church leaders in Jerusalem. These decisions emphasize limiting the celebrations to religious rituals, due to the ongoing genocide in Gaza, where the Palestinian people are enduring brutal acts of aggression under the Israeli occupation and its extremist right-wing government.
Dr. Khouri commended the efforts of Palestinian security forces in ensuring the success of national and Christian religious events. He stressed the importance of preserving the status quo and highlighted the spiritual and global significance of Bethlehem.
He further underscored Bethlehem’s message of peace to the world, lamenting the absence of pilgrims for the second consecutive year due to the ongoing war of extermination. This war has deprived the city—the birthplace of Jesus Christ—of the joy of celebrating Christmas in harmony, like other cities around the world.
Governor Abu Alia affirmed the readiness and commitment of security forces and all state institutions to safeguard the ceremonies and religious rituals and maintain the established status quo.
