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

Throughout a two-year period during the conflict in Gaza, all public celebrations marking the holiday season were called off within the city of Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This city is believed to be where Christians believe the birth of Jesus occurred.

But, after the recent ceasefire, the holy city decided that this year celebrations would return, as represented by the lighting of its customary, large holiday tree in front of the ancient Church of the Nativity.

"It's been a bad two years of silence; no Christmas, no employment, no income," states Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here from tourism and the tourist trade had fallen to zero."

The mayor acknowledges that the decision of resuming celebrations faced some debate, as suffering continues in Gaza – which affects members of the tiny Christian community, who often have relatives in Bethlehem.

"Certain voices argue it's not appropriate while others contend it's appropriate," the mayor notes. "However, in my heart, I felt that this was the correct action to take because Christmas must never be stopped or cancelled. This is the light of hope for our community."

A Spark of Celebration Returns

Residents – both Christians and Muslims – take photographs in front of the tree hung with gold and red ornaments in Manger Square. They are joined by a handful of foreign tourists.

Brightly coloured lights now adorn city streets with signs advertising Christmas bazaars and children's parties.

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

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

Economic Prospects and Difficulties

The neighbouring towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to illuminate holiday trees in the coming days. Hotels – which have stood largely empty for two years – are seeing a rise in reservations from Palestinian citizens of Israel along with certain international tourists.

One tourist from Russia, named Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to this region. "In my view every person should visit at minimum one time during their lifetime," she says.

"I wish a lot of people will return soon as it is sorrowful with few 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."

Currently, the souvenir stores dotted around Bethlehem have little business, and near the cream-coloured walls of the Church of the Nativity, which originate from the Fourth Century, guides largely stand idle. Prior to the Gaza war, it was often crammed with visitors.

"Bethlehem is a tourist city; absent visitors there is no livelihood," laments one guide Hamza. "We aspire to have people coming back like before: from Europe, the Middle Eastern region, the Americas, Latin America and everywhere. We start with the Christmas tree lighting, and then we will wait."

The Lingering Economic Toll

In the past two years, joblessness has soared within Bethlehem. Since the deadly attacks led by Hamas on southern Israel during October 2023 that sparked the war, 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 only partial salaries by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs areas within the West Bank. The PA relies on tax revenues collected by Israel, which it is withholding – to the tune of $1.76 billion, according to a UN agency.

Israeli officials state they are retaining these funds due to the fact that the Authority provides payments to Palestinian prisoners that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The PA – which has been under global pressure to enact reforms – claims it has recently changed its social welfare system.

A Modest 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 constitute an austere Christmas.

On the periphery of Manger Square, some patrons are waiting to buy sizzling balls of falafel from several shops.

"We are getting ready for Christmas after one of our hardest periods as a Palestinian people and as a Christian community," says one restaurant owner, an owner of a restaurant called Afteem, a long-established family-run eatery that has witnessed its revenues collapse. He notes that recently numerous families could not even afford falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food.

"Christians will try to celebrate but based on their situation," Mr Salameh expects. "An individual wishing to bring their children to a festive event or the theatre or whatever, they lack the money to spend on these celebrations."

Hopes for Peace and Prosperity

In the cave-like grotto beneath the church, a local woman accompanies 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 light nearby.

With tensions still high across the region, Bethlehem residents say they are praying for tranquility – and hoping for tourists to come back to the location which is thought to be Christmas began.