Bethlehem's Christmas Tree Illuminates for the First Time After the Start of the Gaza War

For two years amid the Gaza war, all public celebrations marking the holiday season were called off within the city of Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This city is believed to be where the faithful hold Jesus was born.

However, after the recent ceasefire, the holy city decided that now the festivities would make a comeback, as symbolised by the lighting of its traditional, large holiday tree in front of the ancient Church of the Nativity.

"It's been two difficult years of silence; no holiday, no employment, no work," remarks Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here on tourism and tourism had fallen to zero."

He accepts that the idea to restart festivities was not without debate, given the ongoing hardship within Gaza – which affects members of the small Christian population, many of whom have family ties to Bethlehem.

"Certain voices argue it is unsuitable and others say it is fitting," the mayor notes. "But deep inside my heart, I believed that this was the right thing to take since the Christmas season should never be stopped or cancelled. This represents the light of hope for our community."

A Spark of Celebration Returns

Residents – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – take photographs in front of the tree decorated with gold and red ornaments in Manger Square. They are accompanied by a handful of foreign tourists.

Vibrant lights now adorn the streets and there are signs promoting Christmas bazaars and festive events for children.

"We're very happy to have the tree, first of all, and to welcome visitors in Bethlehem and to be able to observe the holiday in its authentic spirit," says local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This place is where it all started, therefore here is where we can convey the message to the world about what really Christmas should be about. And now, if Christmas is peaceful, then I hope it will bring a positive message for the entire world."

Economic Hopes and Challenges

Nearby towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to illuminate Christmas trees soon. Local hotels – which have remained mostly vacant for two years – have an influx of bookings from Palestinian citizens of Israel along with certain international tourists.

One tourist from Russia, Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to this region. "I think everyone needs to come at minimum one time during their lifetime," she says.

"I hope a lot of people will return soon as it is sorrowful without many tourists. The sole aspect that is positive is that there are no lengthy queues – you can come and see more things. On my prior visit it was necessary to wait in a queue for a few hours minimum."

Currently, the gift shops scattered throughout Bethlehem experience scant trade, and near the pale walls of the Church of the Nativity, which originate from the Fourth Century, guides are mostly unoccupied. Prior to the Gaza war, it was often crammed with visitors.

"This is a city for tourists; without tourism there is no life," laments a guide named Hamza. "We aspire to have people returning as in the past: from Europe, the Middle Eastern region, America, Latin America and all over. We begin with the Christmas tree lighting, and then we will wait."

The Persistent Economic Toll

Over the last two years, unemployment has skyrocketed within Bethlehem. Following the lethal attacks led by Hamas on southern Israel during October 2023 that sparked the conflict, tens of thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank have been blocked from entering Israel and its settlements to work.

At the same time, government employees have been paid only partial wages by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs areas within the West Bank. The Authority relies on tax revenues collected by Israel, which it is withholding – to the tune of 1.76 billion dollars, as reported by a UN agency.

Israeli officials state they are retaining the funds because the PA makes payments to Palestinian prisoners that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The authority – facing global pressure to make reforms – says it has lately modified its social welfare system.

An Austere Holiday

The grim economic situation implies that for numerous Palestinian Christians, even though there are now public festivities as well as religious services, it will constitute a subdued holiday season.

At the edge of the square, a few customers wait to purchase hot balls of falafel from several shops.

"We're preparing for Christmas following one of our hardest periods as Palestinians and as a Christian community," says one restaurant owner, who runs a restaurant called Afteem, a long-established family-run eatery which has seen its income plummet. He notes lately numerous families could not even afford falafel – a cheap, traditional snack.

"The faithful will attempt to celebrate but based on their circumstances," Mr Salameh anticipates. "An individual wishing to bring their children to a festive event or the theatre or whatever, he doesn't have the funds to spend for this celebration."

Hopes for Peace and Prosperity

In the cave-like grotto at the base of the Nativity Church, a local woman accompanies a tour group from India, bending down near a silver star which marks the location where tradition states that Jesus was born and lighting a light close by.

With tensions still high across the region, people in Bethlehem state they are praying for peace – and hoping for tourists to come back to the location where it is believed Christmas began.