Mayor of Bethlehem Receives Greek Consul General to Discuss Strengthening Cooperation and Preparations for Christmas 2026

Bethlehem Welcomes Greek Consul General: Christmas Season Brings a Message of Hope and a Call to Support the City

Bethlehem Mayor Mr. Hanna Hanania welcomed Greek Consul General Mr. Dimitrios Angelosopoulos to Bethlehem City Hall on Friday, November 6, 2026, in the presence of his Office Director, Ms. Matilda Salman, Media Officer Ms. Maria Galano, members of the Municipal Council, and staff of the Public Relations and Media Department. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation, preparations for the 2026 Christmas celebrations, and the challenges facing Bethlehem.

During the meeting, Hanania highlighted the longstanding historical ties between the Palestinian and Greek peoples and outlined the political and economic challenges facing Bethlehem. He emphasized the impact of checkpoints and movement restrictions on daily life, commerce, and tourism, stressing the need for greater international support for a city whose residents rely heavily on tourism for their livelihoods.

Hanania also highlighted the Municipality’s efforts to restore the Christmas spirit to Bethlehem’s streets and public squares, revive tourism, and stimulate economic activity despite the ongoing challenges. He emphasized that Christmas represents more than a celebration, reflecting the city’s historical and spiritual identity and its enduring message of love and peace. He called for encouraging pilgrims and visitors, particularly from Greece, to return and stay in Bethlehem, providing vital support to local families and businesses.

For his part, the Greek Consul General expressed Greece’s solidarity with Bethlehem and its people, emphasizing the role of Christmas in strengthening cultural and human connections. He acknowledged that regional security concerns continue to discourage Greek pilgrims from visiting and expressed hope for the resumption of pilgrimages. He also highlighted the universal significance of the Church of the Nativity and the Grotto of the Nativity, praising the progress of restoration works and archaeological discoveries while reaffirming Greece’s support for preserving this historic and spiritual heritage for future generations.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation and international support for Bethlehem, while using the Christmas season to encourage tourism, reinforce the city’s global presence, and contribute to its economic and social recovery.