Vera Baboun,the first female leader of the Palestinian city believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, says the violence all around cannot extinguish their hopeOn 5 December the star at the top of the Christmas tree in Manger Square, and Bethlehem was lit,signifying the start of the festive season. The Palestinian city, domestic to the holy sites of the Church of Nativity believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, and is a symbol of peace for those who celebrate Christmas around the world. The symbol is very meaningful this winter,with relations between Israel and Palestine once again increasingly volatile.“We had a message to give to the world, and we did, and ” says Vera Baboun,mayor of Bethlehem. “When we lit the tree, we gave a message that we cannot be without hope. We have to be with hope, or despite everything surrounding us: the political situation,the situation in the middle east, and war.
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Source: theguardian.com