Bethlehem marks Christmas under shadow of Gaza war
The Take
Al Jazeera
4.7 • 748 Ratings
🗓️ 17 December 2025
⏱️ 23 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Christmas lights are back on in Bethlehem for the first time since Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza began. Yet behind the celebrations, deep economic hardships and mounting pressure from Israeli military incursions and settler violence continue to shape daily life for Palestinian Christians across the occupied West Bank.
In this episode:
- Rev Dr Fares Abraham (@faresabraham), Founder and President, Levant Ministries
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Tracie Hunte and Sarí el-Khalili, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Haleema Shah, Fatima Shafiq, Farhan Rafid, Tamara Khandaker, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz and Sarí el-Khalili.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Al Jazeera Podcasts. |
| 0:07.0 | Today, the Christmas lights are back on in Bethlehem. |
| 0:15.0 | For many years, the celebrations, the lighting of the tree after making a prayer for peace was more of an SOS, |
| 0:24.0 | telling the world that Bethlehem is open for business. |
| 0:28.2 | For the first time since 2022, the celebrations return, even as life across the occupied West Bank grows harder. |
| 0:38.6 | I'm Malika Bilal and this is The Take. |
| 0:49.2 | Before we get to my interview for today, |
| 0:51.5 | remember to leave us a comment telling us what you think about |
| 0:54.2 | this episode, whether you're in Bethlehem or anywhere else. And if you're listening to this on |
| 0:59.3 | your podcast app, leave us a review, telling us where you're listening from, and feel free to drop |
| 1:04.4 | a five-star rating while you're there. It really helps the show. |
| 1:11.4 | My name is Ferris Abraham. |
| 1:13.3 | I was born and raised in Bethlehem and Palestine, and I lead Levant Ministries here in the U.S. |
| 1:19.9 | and across the Middle East. |
| 1:21.7 | Well, Reverend Dr. Fadis Abraham, welcome to the take. |
| 1:25.9 | It is so good to have you. |
| 1:29.3 | We are approaching Christmas, |
| 1:36.5 | and you were raised in Jesus' birthplace growing up just outside the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem. There hasn't been a whole lot to celebrate there recently with Israel's |
| 1:41.5 | genocidal war in Gaza and near daily Israeli military raids in the West Bank. |
| 1:48.3 | But this month, for the first time since 2022, there was a little joy as people gathered outside of the Church of Nativity to watch the lighting of a giant Christmas tree. |
| 2:00.4 | What did that feel like for you? |
| 2:05.6 | Well, to be completely honest, Malika, I had mixed emotions. |
... |
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