Bethlehem's Christmas Tree Lighting Illuminates for the First Time 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 located in the West Bank. This city is believed to be where the faithful hold the birth of Jesus occurred.

But, following a recent truce, the holy city determined that now celebrations would make a comeback, as represented by the illumination of its traditional, giant Christmas tree in front of the ancient Church of the Nativity.

"We have endured two difficult years without celebration; 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 nothing."

He accepts that the idea of resuming celebrations faced some debate, given the ongoing hardship in Gaza – including for those in its tiny Christian community, many of whom have family ties in Bethlehem.

"Some may say it is unsuitable and others say it's appropriate," the mayor notes. "However, in my heart, I felt 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 Celebration Reappears

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

Vibrant lights now adorn the streets with signs promoting Christmas bazaars and children's parties.

"We're very happy to see the tree, first thing, and to see foreigners 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 the message globally of what really Christmas represents. And now, if Christmas is peaceful, I sincerely hope it will bring a positive message for the entire world."

Economic Prospects and Difficulties

The neighbouring towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to light holiday trees soon. Hotels – which have remained mostly vacant for two years – are seeing a rise in reservations from Palestinian citizens of Israel along with certain international tourists.

A visitor from Russia, named Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "In my view everyone needs to come at least once during their lifetime," she states.

"I hope many visitors will return soon as it is sorrowful with few tourists. The sole aspect that's good is you don't have long lines – you can come and see more things. On my prior visit it was necessary to wait in line for hours at least."

For now, the souvenir stores dotted around Bethlehem have little business, and outside the cream-coloured walls of the Church of the Nativity, which originate from the Fourth Century, guides largely stand idle. Prior to the conflict, it was typically packed with people.

"This is a tourist city; absent visitors there is no livelihood," expresses a guide named Hamza. "We aspire to have people coming back as in the past: from European nations, the Middle Eastern region, the Americas, Latin America and all over. We begin with the Christmas tree lighting, and we'll wait."

The Lingering Economic Toll

Over the last two years, joblessness has soared in Bethlehem. Since the deadly Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the conflict, many thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank region have been blocked from entering Israel and Israeli settlements for work.

At the same time, public servants have been paid only partial wages by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs parts of the West Bank. The Authority depends on tax revenues gathered by Israel, which it is withholding – to the tune of 1.76 billion dollars, according to the UN's trade and development agency.

Israel says they are retaining these funds because the Authority provides payments to incarcerated Palestinians that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The PA – facing global pressure to enact reforms – claims it has lately modified its welfare system.

A Modest Christmas Season

The bleak economic situation implies that for numerous Christian Palestinians, even though there are currently public festivities as well as religious services, it will constitute a subdued holiday season.

At the edge of the square, a few customers wait to purchase sizzling balls of falafel from a row of shops.

"We are getting ready for Christmas after one of our hardest periods as a Palestinian people and as a Christian community," says Alaa Salameh, who runs Afteem, a decades-old family restaurant that has witnessed its income plummet. He says lately many families could not even purchase falafel – an inexpensive, traditional snack.

"The faithful will attempt to mark the occasion but based on their circumstances," Mr Salameh anticipates. "Someone who wants to take his kids to a festival or the theatre or whatever, he doesn't have the funds to expend for this celebration."

Prayers for Calm and Recovery

Within the grotto beneath the Nativity Church, a resident follows a tour group from India, bending down by a silver star which marks the spot where it is said that Jesus was born and igniting a candle nearby.

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