Bethlehem rebounds from pandemic, lifting Christmas spirits
The biblical town of Bethlehem is marking what is shaping up to be a merry Christmas BETHLEHEM, West Bank -- The biblical town of Bethlehem marked a merry Christmas on Saturday, with thousands of visitors descending upon the traditional birthplace of Jesus as it rebounds from the coronavirus pandemic. Tourism is the economic lifeblood of this town in the occupied West Bank, and for the past two years, the pandemic kept international visitors away. This year, visitors are back, hotels are full and shopkeepers have reported a brisk Business in the runup to the holiday. Although the numbers have not reached pre- pandemic levels, the return of tourists has palpably raised spirits in Bethlehem. “We are celebrating Christmas this year in a very much different way than last year,” said Palestinian Tourism Minister Rula Maayah. “We're celebrating Christmas with pilgrims coming from all over the world.” Throughout the day, hundreds of people strolled through Manger Square for Christmas E...