Bethlehem's Holiday Tree Lights Up Once Again After the Outbreak of the Gaza War

Throughout a two-year period during the conflict in Gaza, every festive public event for Christmas were cancelled in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This place is believed to be where Christians believe the birth of Jesus occurred.

However, following the recent ceasefire, the holy city decided that this year celebrations would make a comeback, as represented by the lighting of its customary, giant Christmas tree before the historic Nativity Church.

"It's been a bad two years without celebration; no Christmas, no jobs, no income," states Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives from tourism and tourism was down to nothing."

He acknowledges that the decision to restart festivities faced some controversy, as suffering continues within Gaza – which affects those in its small Christian population, many of whom have family ties in Bethlehem.

"Certain voices argue it's not appropriate while others contend it's appropriate," Mr Canawati explains. "But deep inside my heart, I felt that this was the correct action to take since the Christmas season must never be stopped or cancelled. This represents a beacon of hope for us."

A Spark of Celebration Reappears

Residents – both Christians and Muslims – take photographs before the tree hung with gold and red ornaments in Manger Square. They are accompanied by a small number of foreign tourists.

Vibrant lights now adorn city streets and there are signs promoting Christmas bazaars and children's parties.

"We're very happy to see the tree, first thing, and to welcome visitors to Bethlehem and to have the chance to celebrate Christmas in its authentic spirit," says Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This place is where everything began, so this is where we can convey a message to the world about what Christmas truly should be about. And this year, if Christmas is peaceful, then I hope it will deliver a positive message for the whole world."

Economic Prospects and Challenges

The neighbouring towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to illuminate Christmas trees in the coming days. Hotels – which have remained mostly vacant for two years – are seeing a rise of bookings from Arab citizens of Israel along with certain international tourists.

One tourist from Russia, named Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "I think everyone needs to come at minimum one time in their life," she states.

"I hope a lot of people will return soon as it is sorrowful without many tourists. The only thing that is positive is you don't have lengthy queues – one can visit and see more things. When I came before you had to wait in a queue for hours at least."

Currently, the gift shops scattered throughout Bethlehem experience scant trade, and near the cream-coloured walls of the Nativity Church, which originate from the Fourth Century, guides largely stand idle. Prior to the conflict, it was typically packed with visitors.

"Bethlehem is a tourist city; absent visitors there is no life," laments one guide Hamza. "We aspire to see individuals coming back as in the past: from Europe, the Middle Eastern region, the Americas, Latin American and all over. We begin with lighting the tree, and we'll wait."

The Persistent Economic Toll

In the past two years, unemployment has skyrocketed in Bethlehem. Since the lethal attacks led by Hamas in southern Israel during October 2023 that sparked the conflict, many thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank have been blocked from entering Israel and Israeli settlements to work.

Meanwhile, public servants have received only partial salaries by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs parts of the West Bank. The Authority relies on tax income gathered 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 these funds due to the fact that the PA makes payments to incarcerated Palestinians that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The authority – which has been under global pressure to enact reforms – claims it has recently changed its social welfare system.

A Modest Christmas Season

The grim economic situation means that for many Palestinian Christians, even though there are now public events in addition to religious services, it will be an austere Christmas.

On the periphery of Manger Square, some patrons wait to buy hot balls of falafel from a row of shops.

"We're preparing for the holiday after one of our hardest periods as a Palestinian people and as a Christian community," says Alaa Salameh, an owner of Afteem, a decades-old family-run eatery which has seen its income plummet. He notes lately numerous families could not even purchase falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food.

"Christians will try to mark the occasion but according to their circumstances," Mr Salameh expects. "Someone who wants to take his kids to a festive event or a show or similar, he doesn't have the funds to spend for this celebration."

Hopes for Peace and Prosperity

Within the grotto beneath the church, a local woman accompanies a tour group from India, stooping down by a silver star that indicates the location where tradition states Jesus was born and lighting a light close by.

With tensions still high across the region, people in Bethlehem say they are hoping for peace – and wishing for tourists to come back to the place which is thought to be Christmas began.