Bethlehem's Holiday Tree Lights Up Once Again After the Start of the Conflict

For two years during the Gaza war, all public celebrations for Christmas were cancelled within the city of Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This city is believed to be where the faithful hold Jesus was born.

However, following the recent ceasefire, the holy city determined that this year the festivities would return, as represented by the illumination of its traditional, large holiday tree before the ancient Church of the Nativity.

"It's been two difficult years of silence; no holiday, no employment, no income," states the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here on tourism and tourism was down to nothing."

The mayor acknowledges that the idea to restart festivities was not without debate, given the ongoing hardship within Gaza – including for members of the small Christian population, who often have family ties to Bethlehem.

"Some may say it's not appropriate and others say it's appropriate," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I believed this constituted the correct action to do since Christmas must never be stopped or cancelled. This is the light of hope for our community."

A Glimmer of Festivity Returns

Locals – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – pose for selfies before the tree decorated with red and gold baubles at Manger Square. They are accompanied by a small number of foreign tourists.

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

"We are delighted to see the tree, first thing, and to welcome visitors to Bethlehem and to have the chance to observe the holiday in its true spirit," comments Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This place is where it all started, so this is where we can convey the message to the world of what really Christmas should be about. And this year, if Christmas is peaceful, I sincerely hope it will deliver a nice message for the entire world."

Economic Hopes and Difficulties

Nearby towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to illuminate Christmas trees soon. Hotels – which have stood largely empty for the past two years – have an influx in reservations from Palestinian citizens of Israel as well as some foreign visitors.

One tourist from Russia, Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to this region. "I think every person should visit at minimum one time in their life," she says.

"I hope many visitors will return soon because it's sad without many tourists. The sole aspect that is positive is that there are no long lines – you can come and see more things. When I came before you had to wait in a queue for a few hours minimum."

For now, the souvenir stores dotted around Bethlehem have little business, and near the pale walls of the Church of the Nativity, which originate from the 4th century, guides are mostly unoccupied. Before the Gaza war, it was typically packed with visitors.

"This is a tourist city; absent visitors there is no life," expresses a guide named Hamza. "We aspire to see individuals returning as in the past: from Europe, the Middle East, America, Latin American and everywhere. We start with the Christmas tree lighting, and we'll wait."

The Lingering Economic Impact

Over the last two years, unemployment has skyrocketed in Bethlehem. Since the deadly attacks led by Hamas in southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the war, tens of thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank have been blocked from entering Israel and Israeli settlements for work.

Meanwhile, government employees have been paid just a portion of their salaries from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs areas within the West Bank. The Authority relies on tax income gathered by Israel, which it is withholding – amounting to 1.76 billion dollars, as reported by the UN's trade and development agency.

Israeli officials state it is holding these funds because the PA makes financial payments to incarcerated Palestinians that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The PA – facing global pressure to enact reforms – says it has recently changed its social welfare system.

An Austere Holiday

The bleak economic outlook means that for many Christian Palestinians, even though there are currently public festivities as well as religious ceremonies, it will be a subdued holiday season.

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

"We're preparing for Christmas following one of our hardest periods as Palestinians and as a Christian community," states Alaa Salameh, an owner of a restaurant called Afteem, a long-established family restaurant which has seen its revenues collapse. He says lately many families could not even afford falafel – a cheap, traditional snack.

"The faithful will attempt to mark the occasion but based on their situation," Mr Salameh anticipates. "An individual wishing to bring their children to a festival or a show or similar, they lack the funds to expend for this celebration."

Hopes for Calm and Recovery

Within the grotto at the base of the Nativity Church, a local woman accompanies a small Indian tour group, bending down near a silver star that indicates the location where it is said that Jesus was born and igniting a light close by.

Amid ongoing high tensions across the region, people in Bethlehem say they are praying for peace – and wishing for visitors to return to the location where it is believed Christmas began.