Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus according to the Bible has officially cancelled Christmas for the first time in decades due to the Israel war massacre.

Christmas festivities in the West Bank town of Bethlehem have been cancelled “in [honour] of the martyrs and in solidarity with our people in Gaza,” A spokesman for the municipality confirmed to the British broadsheet that its customary Christmas tree and decorations, including its nativity scene, were being dismantled. The spokesman said it would not be “appropriate at all” in light of “the general situation in Palestine; people are not really into any celebration, they are sad, angry and upset; our people in Gaza are being massacred and killed in cold blood.” He added that Christmas “mass and prayers” would still take place. 

Bethlehem is a historical town with 30,000 inhabitants but it sits just six miles south of Jerusalem in the Palestinian-patrolled West Bank.

The town was devoid of the Christmastime tourists and pilgrims who usually flock there to celebrate the holiday season.