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

Throughout a two-year period amid the conflict in Gaza, every festive public event marking the holiday season were cancelled in Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This place is where the faithful hold Jesus was born.

But, after the recent ceasefire, this sacred city determined 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 without celebration; no Christmas, no jobs, no work," states the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives from tourism and tourism had fallen to nothing."

He accepts that the decision to restart festivities was not without controversy, as suffering continues within Gaza – which affects those in its small Christian population, who often have family ties to Bethlehem.

"Some may say 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 do because Christmas must never be halted or abandoned. This represents the light of hope for us."

A Glimmer of Celebration Reappears

Residents – both Christians and Muslims – pose for selfies in front of the tree hung with gold and red ornaments at Manger Square. They are joined by a small number of international visitors.

Brightly coloured lights now decorate city streets and there are signs promoting holiday markets and festive events for children.

"We are delighted to see the tree, first thing, and to see foreigners 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 a message globally of what really Christmas should be about. And now, if Christmas is peaceful, then I hope it will bring a nice message for the whole world."

Economic Hopes and Challenges

Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to illuminate holiday trees in the coming days. Hotels – which have remained largely empty for two years – are seeing a rise in reservations from Palestinian citizens of Israel as well as some foreign visitors.

One tourist from Russia, named Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to this region. "I think every person should visit at least once in their life," she states.

"I hope many visitors will soon come back because it's sad without many tourists. The sole aspect that is positive is 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 hours minimum."

For now, the gift shops dotted around Bethlehem experience scant trade, and outside the pale walls of the Nativity Church, which originate from the 4th century, guides largely stand idle. Before the Gaza war, it was typically packed with people.

"This is a tourist city; absent visitors there is no life," expresses a guide named Hamza. "We hope to have people coming back like before: from Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, Latin America and everywhere. We begin with lighting the tree, and we'll wait."

The Persistent Economic Impact

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

At the same time, public servants have received only partial wages by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs parts of the West Bank. The PA relies on tax income gathered by Israel, which it is currently holding – amounting to $1.76 billion, according to a UN agency.

Israel says it is holding the funds because the PA makes payments to Palestinian prisoners that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The authority – which has been under international pressure to make reforms – says it has lately modified its social welfare system.

An Austere Holiday

The bleak economic outlook implies that for many Palestinian Christians, even though there are now public festivities as well as religious ceremonies, it will constitute an austere Christmas.

On the periphery of the square, a few customers are waiting to purchase hot balls of falafel from several shops.

"We are getting ready 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 that has witnessed its revenues collapse. He says that recently numerous families could not even afford falafel – a cheap, traditional food.

"Christians will try to mark the occasion but based on their situation," Mr Salameh anticipates. "An individual wishing to bring their children to a festive event or a show or similar, he doesn't have the funds to spend on these celebrations."

Prayers for Peace and Prosperity

Within the grotto beneath the church, a local woman follows a small Indian tour group, stooping down by a silver star which marks the location where it is said that Jesus was born and lighting a candle nearby.

Amid ongoing high tensions throughout the area, Bethlehem residents say they are praying for peace – and hoping for tourists to come back to the place where it is believed where Christmas started.