Bethlehem's Holiday Tree Lighting Lights Up for the First Time After the Outbreak of the Gaza War

Throughout a two-year period during the Gaza war, every festive public event for Christmas were cancelled in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This place is believed to be where the faithful hold Jesus was born.

However, after the recent ceasefire, this sacred city determined that now the festivities would return, as symbolised by the lighting of its customary, giant Christmas tree before the historic Nativity Church.

"We have endured a bad two years without celebration; no holiday, no jobs, no income," remarks the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives from tourism and tourism had fallen to nothing."

The mayor accepts that the idea to restart festivities faced some debate, given the ongoing hardship within Gaza – including for members of the small Christian population, many of whom have family ties in Bethlehem.

"Certain voices argue it is unsuitable while others contend it's appropriate," the mayor notes. "However, in my heart, I believed that this was the right thing to take since the Christmas season should never be halted or abandoned. This is the light of hope for us."

A Spark of Festivity Reappears

Residents – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – take photographs before the tree decorated with red and gold baubles at Manger Square. They are joined by a handful of foreign tourists.

Vibrant lights now adorn the streets and there are signs promoting holiday markets and children's parties.

"We are delighted to have the tree, first of all, and to welcome visitors in Bethlehem and to be able to celebrate Christmas in its true spirit," says Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This is where everything began, so this is where we can convey the message globally about what Christmas truly represents. And this year, if the season is calm, then I hope it will deliver a positive message for the entire world."

Economic Hopes and Difficulties

Nearby towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to illuminate Christmas trees in the coming days. Local hotels – which have remained largely empty for two years – have an influx of bookings from Arab citizens of Israel as well as certain international tourists.

A visitor from Russia, Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to this region. "I think everyone needs to come at least once during their lifetime," 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 you don't have lengthy queues – one can visit and experience more. When I came before it was necessary to wait in a queue for hours minimum."

Currently, the souvenir stores dotted around the city have little business, and outside the cream-coloured walls of the Nativity Church, which originate from the 4th century, tour guides largely stand idle. Prior to the conflict, it was often crammed with people.

"Bethlehem is a city for tourists; absent visitors there is no life," expresses a guide named Hamza. "We hope to have people returning as in the past: from Europe, the Middle Eastern region, America, Latin America and all over. We begin with lighting the tree, and we'll wait."

The Lingering Economic Impact

Over the last two years, unemployment has skyrocketed within Bethlehem. Following the lethal Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel during October 2023 which triggered the conflict, tens of thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank region have been blocked from entering Israel and Israeli settlements for work.

Meanwhile, public servants have been paid just a portion of their wages from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs parts of the West Bank. The Authority depends on tax revenues gathered by Israel, which it is currently holding – amounting to 1.76 billion dollars, according to a UN agency.

Israel says it is holding these funds because the Authority provides payments to Palestinian prisoners that encourage attacks on Israelis. The authority – facing international pressure to make reforms – says it has lately modified its social welfare system.

A Modest Christmas Season

The bleak economic situation implies that for numerous Palestinian Christians, even though there are currently public festivities as well as religious ceremonies, it will be a subdued holiday season.

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 Palestinians and as a Christian community," says one restaurant owner, who runs a restaurant called Afteem, a decades-old family-run eatery which has seen its revenues collapse. He says lately numerous families could not even afford falafel – a cheap, traditional snack.

"Christians will try to celebrate but based on their situation," Mr Salameh expects. "Someone who wants to bring their children to a festive event or a show or whatever, he doesn't have the funds to expend on these celebrations."

Prayers for Calm and Recovery

Within the grotto beneath the Nativity Church, a resident accompanies a tour group from India, stooping down near a silver star that indicates the spot where it is said Jesus was born and igniting a candle nearby.

With tensions still high throughout the area, people in Bethlehem state they are praying for tranquility – and wishing for tourists to come back to the location where it is believed where Christmas started.