'Cut off the lights': Christian leader blames Hamas for stealing Christmas in Bethlehem

A prominent Christian leader has accused Hamas of cutting the Christmas lights and holiday activities in Bethlehem. The location is believed to be the birthplace of Jesus. The development comes after Christians have started to flee the area.

Rev. Johnnie Moore — an evangelical Christian leader — said that "it is Hamas, not Israel, which cut off the Christmas lights in Bethlehem. Hamas tried to sabotage Christmas in the Holy Land for the world's 2 billion Christians. Jesus is the prince of peace. Hamas hates peace," according to Fox News Digital.

The comments come after a months-long war between Israel and Hamas. Hamas launched a surprise attack against the Jewish state in early October, killing 1,200 Israelis, and Israel has responded by launching heavy attacks in Gaza.

"Instead of taking a page from Hamas by further politicizing religion, the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah and in Bethlehem should have defied Hamas’ hate by having the biggest celebration they could imagine to spread the message of the Prince of Peace, Jesus … from Bethlehem," Moore added.

According to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, Moore is "the founder and CEO of The KAIROS Company and President of The Congress of Christian Leaders." Among a host of other accolades, he has also served as the senior vice president and campus pastor at Liberty University.

The Christian leader has been a persistent critic of Hamas and its dealings in the Middle East, characterizing the situation as one that specifically involves the Iranian regime.

"But that’s fine," Moore continued. "One only has to drive a mile to Jerusalem, where Christmas is alive and well. Jerusalem is alive with holiday celebrations because Israel is, even now, fiercely protecting its sanctity during this time of terror and war."

"Or, if you want a dose of hope that peace is not only possible but will come, then drive up north to beautiful Haifa. It is a city where Jews, Christians, and Muslims live in peace with one another and not only side by side but by sharing their lives, joys, and sorrows together."

Fox News Digital reported that Palestinian Christian leaders said holiday celebrations would not occur in the West Bank, where Bethlehem is located. The West Bank is generally referred to as Judea and Samaria by Israelis.

The prevalence of Christians in Bethlehem has significantly diminished over the past 70 years. In 1950, 86% of Bethlehem and the surrounding villages were Christian. However, in 2016, that number had been reduced to just 12%. The National Catholic Reporter noted that there were only 11,000 Christians in the region.

In 2023, there are around 10,000 Christians who have remained in Bethlehem.

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