Gaza war – आवारा मुसाफिर

Another bleak Christmas in Bethlehem as Christian families quit West Bank

December 1, 2024169 Views

For a second year running, there is no Christmas cheer in Bethlehem, with tourists shunning the Palestinian city and many residents seeking a way out as the Gaza war grinds on. Bethlehem's Manger Square in front of the Church of the Nativity is largely deserted and souvenir shops are shuttered. Once again, there are no plans to put up the traditional light-festooned Christmas Tree in the ancient settlement that is venerated by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus and now sits in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Orthodox priest Issa Thaljieh walks in the Church of the Nativity as no tourists are seen, in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank November 25, 2024. REUTERS/Mussa Qawasma "During these difficult times that our Palestinian cities are going through, especially in ...

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Jordan’s tourism industry struggling as Gaza war deters visitors

AWARA MUSAFIR BUREAU

November 9, 2024196 Views

# 'There are no revenues, it's all losses', says Petra hotelier # Flight bookings to Jordan have fallen sharply # Tourism was 12.5% of Jordan's economy last year # Hotel occupancy in Petra as low as 10% # Jordan has survived previous crises -tourism minister Enas Al Hinti has cut staff pay in half and asked workers to take unpaid leave in an effort to keep her hotel in ancient Petra open as Western holidaymakers fearful of conflict shun destinations in the Middle East. A crisis across the region's tourism industry since the start of the Israel-Hamas war 13 months ago is being felt acutely in Jordan, whose border with Israel along the Red Sea and Dead Sea is studded with beach resorts. Sites such as Petra, Wadi Rum and crusader castles have been drawing visitors fo...

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‘Worst Christmas ever’ in birthplace of Jesus as impact of war empties Bethlehem

AWARA MUSAFIR BUREAU

December 11, 2023589 Views

Bethlehem is normally at its busiest at Christmas but this year war has scared away tourists and pilgrims from the Palestinian town in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, leaving hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops deserted. With global headlines dominated since Oct. 7 by news of the Hamas attacks in southern Israel, followed by Israel's military assault on Gaza and a rise in violence in the West Bank, business owners in Bethlehem said no one was coming. "We have no guests. Not one," said Joey Canavati, owner of the Alexander Hotel, whose family has lived and worked in Bethlehem for four generations. "This is the worst Christmas ever. Bethlehem is shut down for Christmas. No Christmas tree, no joy, no Christmas spirit," he said. Located just south of Jerusalem, Bethlehem is...

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No Christmas tree in Bethlehem as holiday pared down over Gaza war

AWARA MUSAFIR BUREAU

December 3, 2023597 Views

There will be no Christmas tree in Bethlehem this year as the traditional site of Jesus' birth holds pared-down celebrations "without the fanfare and without too many lights" in the shadow of the Gaza war. Bethlehem, which neighbours Jerusalem in the occupied West Bank, has been battered by Israeli-Palestinian clashes of years past. But many townspeople have been especially gripped by the current conflict in the Gaza Strip, 50 km (30 miles) away. A man lights a candle as he prepares the Church of the Nativity on the day of the launch of the beginning of the Christmas season, as the conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas continues, in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank December 2, 2023. REUTERS/Ammar Awad In the early days of every December, church l...