Michel Sabbah, the former Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, addressed the global public from the birthplace of Christ in Beit Lahm, through the "Palestine 100 Initiative" platform, for this year's Christmas. 

In a message dedicated to war-fallen Gaza, the Patriarch said, "Christmas this year, in Beit Lahm and all over the world, is a prayer to God Almighty, to stop the war in Gaza and all of Palestine. During these days, many direct their eyes and hearts to Beit Lahm, but only an hour away, they see the war in Gaza, where humans are buried beneath the rubble of their own homes, they see children beneath the rubble, they see humanity beneath the rubble."

He regarded the war as a genocide of Palestinians, adding that Palestinians and Christians witnessing the genocide during these specific times, "must recognize that Christmas this year should not be restricted to Beit Lahm solely but must traverse to every oppressed human, particularly on the Holy Land, and it makes its way to Gaza and all of Palestine, where death reigns supreme".

As the war on Gaza rages, leaving more than 20,000 martyrs and over 52,826 wounded, Christmas will be a muted affair in Beit Lahm.

This year's Christmas in Beit Lahm will be muted, as the city foregoes the usual festive lights and conventional Christmas tree towering over Manger… pic.twitter.com/Z93uwQzIYt

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) December 22, 2023

'War puts us in the face of death'

The Patriarch called to halt the aggressive genocide in Gaza, appealing to Christians all over the world for their support and advocacy for the Palestinian cause.

"Gaza deserves liberation, independence, and peace," said the patriarch, adding that the root causes for the war and the occupation must be studied, as Gaza and Palestine have a long history of being drawn into war. 

He proceeded to say, "The war threatens all of us and our security and puts us in the face of death and destruction," while absolutely refusing the occupation and its tactics of ethnic discrimination, forced displacement, and genocide. 

He also addressed the United States and its indefinite support for the Israeli genocide, saying "It is time for life instead of death, and the United States must stop sending "Israel" weapons and funding the war, and a final and definite solution must be found that supports Palestinians in Palestine, in refugee camps, and all over the world". 

Lastly, the Patriarch wished everyone a Christmas filled with holiness, humanity, and peace in Gaza and all Holy Lands. 

In the most recent update, the United Nations Security Council postponed a highly anticipated vote on a resolution asking for a halt in the war on Gaza to deliver more aid to the besieged Strip on Tuesday, requested by the US.

To continue talks, the Council entered private consultations around noon on Wednesday when the vote was initially set. In this context, UNSC diplomats expressed frustration with the US' repeated demands for postponement and said it was doubtful that Washington would eventually allow the resolution to pass.

Read more: US uses veto power, blocks UNSC resolution calling for Gaza ceasefire