Bethlehem's Christmas Tree Lights Up for the First Time Since the Outbreak of the Gaza War

Throughout a two-year period during the Gaza war, every festive public event marking the holiday season were called off within the city of Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This city is where the faithful hold the birth of Jesus occurred.

But, following the recent ceasefire, the holy city determined that now 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 of silence; no Christmas, no jobs, no work," states the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives from tourism and the tourist trade was down to zero."

The mayor accepts that the idea of resuming celebrations faced some debate, as suffering continues in Gaza – including for those in its small Christian population, many of whom have relatives to Bethlehem.

"Certain voices argue it's not appropriate while others contend it is fitting," Mr Canawati explains. "But deep inside my heart, I felt this constituted the right thing to take since Christmas should never be halted or abandoned. This represents a beacon of hope for our community."

A Glimmer of Celebration Reappears

Residents – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – pose for selfies in front of the tree decorated with red and gold baubles in Manger Square. They are accompanied by a handful of international visitors.

Vibrant lights now adorn city streets and there are signs advertising holiday markets and festive events for children.

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

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

Economic Hopes and Difficulties

Nearby towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to illuminate Christmas trees soon. Local hotels – which have stood mostly vacant for two years – are seeing a rise in reservations from Arab citizens of Israel along with some foreign visitors.

A visitor from Russia, named Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to this region. "I think every person should visit at least once in their life," she says.

"I wish a lot of people will soon come back as it is sorrowful with few tourists. The only thing that is positive is that there are no lengthy queues – one can visit and experience more. When I came before you had to wait in line for hours minimum."

Currently, the gift shops dotted around the city experience scant trade, and outside the pale walls of the Church of the Nativity, which date back to the Fourth Century, guides are mostly unoccupied. Prior to the Gaza war, it was typically packed with visitors.

"This is a city for tourists; absent visitors there is no livelihood," expresses a guide named Hamza. "We aspire to have people coming back like before: from Europe, the Middle Eastern region, the Americas, Latin American and all over. We begin with the Christmas tree lighting, and we'll wait."

The Persistent Economic Impact

Over the last two years, unemployment has skyrocketed within Bethlehem. Since the deadly Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel during October 2023 which triggered the war, tens of thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank region have been prevented from entering Israel and its settlements to work.

At the same time, government employees have been paid just a portion of their salaries from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs parts of the West Bank. The PA depends on tax income gathered by Israel, which it is currently holding – amounting to 1.76 billion dollars, as reported by a UN agency.

Israel says it is holding the funds because the Authority provides payments to Palestinian prisoners that incentivise violence against Israelis. The PA – which has been under international pressure to make reforms – claims it has lately modified its social welfare system.

An Austere Holiday

The grim economic situation implies that for many Palestinian Christians, even though there are now public events as well as religious services, it will constitute an austere Christmas.

On the periphery of Manger Square, some patrons are waiting to purchase sizzling balls of falafel from a row of shops.

"We are getting ready for Christmas following one of our hardest periods as a Palestinian people and as Christians," states one restaurant owner, who runs Afteem, a decades-old family restaurant which has seen its revenues collapse. He notes that recently many families could not even purchase falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food.

"Christians will try to celebrate but based on their situation," Mr Salameh anticipates. "An individual wishing to bring their children to a festive event or the theatre or similar, he doesn't have the money to spend for this celebration."

Hopes for Peace and Prosperity

In the cave-like grotto beneath the church, a resident follows a small Indian tour group, bending down by a silver star that indicates the spot where it is said that Jesus was born and igniting a candle nearby.

Amid ongoing high tensions across the region, people in Bethlehem state they are hoping for tranquility – and wishing for visitors to return to the location where it is believed where Christmas started.