It is reported at the moment, Palestinians are beginning to gather at Manger Square outside the Church of the Nativity in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem to attend a Christian scouts performance.
The Church of the Nativity is built over the spot Christians believed Mary gave birth to Jesus.
Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) reported:
Bethlehem Christmas celebrations kick off from JerusalemMalaysia's non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council (UNDC) will end on December 31st 2016.
JERUSALEM, December 24, 2016 (WAFA) – Christmas celebrations kicked off Saturday with the annual procession led by the Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem Rev. Pierbattista Pizzaballa.
The car procession started at the Latin Patriarchate at Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City with a stopover at Mar Elias Monastery on the outskirts of Bethlehem before completing on its way to Manger Square and the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, the birth site of Jesus Christ, where it is supposed to arrive there in the early afternoon.
Midnight mass in the presence of President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, along with a long list of foreign and local guests, will be held at St. Catherine Church at the Nativity.
Pope Francis appointed Pierbattista Pizzaballa as Apostolic Administrator following the retirement of Patriarch Fouad Twal in June.
M.K.
In an article in The Star dated December 22nd, 2016 here, Foreign Minister Dato Anifah Aman shared a question he is often asked:
How does Malaysia’s membership of the UNSC benefit Malaysia and its people?Do read Anifah's article to understand.
Relevent for this auspices moment, Anifah shared Malaysia's dedicated role for the Palestinian:
To ensure that the plight of the Palestinian people continue to receive the attention of the global community, Malaysia chaired three Arria-formula meetings on the situation in Gaza, protection for the people of Palestine and illegal Israeli settlements.
Malaysia will end their UNSC membership on a high note with a resolution spearheaded together with New Zealand, Venezuela and Senegal.
The Minister from Sabah gave a clear instruction to our Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dato' Ramlan Ibrahim to proceed with the resolution to demand end the Israeli settlement building on occupied Palestinian land.
Despite Egypt withdrawal, it became the first such resolution after 36 years of illegal settlements.
It marks our country's unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause.
Dato Najib explained in his statement here that the resolution is not about religion, but it is international community support against continuous infringement of international law by the Israel regime
The 15-membered UNSC passed resolution with the US abstain. The US rebuffed Israel, reported New York Times here.
President of the powerful World Jewish Council expressed dismay with the US.
Donald Trump expected the US to veto as he twitted "things will be different after Jan 20th" at the UN. German news portal, DW reported here.
Israel is expected to arrogantly ignore the resolution. Nevertheless, it is a significant progress.
In co-incident with Christmas, it is also our symbolic gift and a parting one for the peace seeking Palestinians as Malaysia end it's teem as UNSC member.
One day, justice will prevail. There will be peace and joy for Palestinians.
Wishing Merry Christmas to all Malaysian Christians. Ensure there is peace and joy fororever in Malaysia.
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