Christians in Bethlehem face existential threat under Israel's occupation

Christmas should be the busiest time of the year for the shopkeepers of Manger Square, but the birthplace of Jesus is now a ghost town.

Christmas has been the beating heart of the Giacaman family’s Bethlehem business for generations.

The Giacamans own Christmas House, one of the main shops on Manger Square selling Nativity figurines, festive ornaments, rosaries, crucifixes and other religious paraphernalia, all ornately carved in their nearby workshop from local olive wood.

But for the past two years, the doors of Christmas House have remained closed, Jack Issa Giacaman told Middle East Eye.

“You don’t see anybody around. Unfortunately during the last years Israel converted Bethlehem to be a big prison,” said Giacaman, who currently manages the company.

Days before Christmas, Manger Square is almost deserted, with only a few locals taking photos of the star-topped Christmas tree decorated in red and gold baubles.

Read more: Christians in Bethlehem face existential threat under Israel's occupation