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

For two years during the Gaza war, all public celebrations for Christmas were called off within the city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This place is believed to be where Christians believe Jesus was born.

But, following the recent ceasefire, the holy city determined that now the festivities would return, as represented by the lighting of its traditional, large holiday tree in front of the historic Nativity Church.

"We have endured a bad two years without celebration; no Christmas, no employment, no income," states the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives from tourism and the tourist trade was down to nothing."

The mayor accepts that the idea of resuming celebrations was not without debate, given the ongoing hardship in Gaza – including for members of the tiny Christian community, who often have relatives to Bethlehem.

"Some may say it is unsuitable and others say it is fitting," the mayor notes. "But deep inside my heart, I felt this constituted the right thing to take since Christmas must never be stopped or cancelled. This is a beacon of hope for our community."

A Spark of Celebration Reappears

Residents – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – pose for selfies in front of the tree hung with gold and red ornaments at Manger Square. They are accompanied by a small number of foreign tourists.

Brightly coloured lights now adorn city streets with signs advertising holiday markets 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 true spirit," comments Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This place is where it all started, therefore here is where we can convey a message globally about what Christmas truly represents. And now, if Christmas is peaceful, then I hope it will bring a nice message for the entire world."

Economic Prospects and Challenges

The neighbouring towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to light Christmas trees in the coming days. Hotels – which have stood largely empty for the past two years – have an influx of bookings from Palestinian citizens of Israel as well as certain international tourists.

One tourist from Russia, named Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to this region. "I think everyone needs to come at minimum one time in their life," she says.

"I wish a lot of people will return soon because it's sad without many tourists. The sole aspect that is positive is that you don't have lengthy queues – 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 gift shops scattered throughout Bethlehem experience scant trade, and outside the pale walls of the Nativity Church, which date back to the Fourth Century, tour guides largely stand idle. Before the conflict, it was typically packed with people.

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

The Lingering Economic Impact

In the past two years, joblessness has soared within Bethlehem. Since the deadly attacks led by Hamas in southern Israel during October 2023 which triggered the conflict, many thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank have been blocked from entering Israel and its settlements to work.

Meanwhile, government employees have received only partial wages from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs parts of the West Bank. The PA depends on tax revenues gathered by Israel, which it is withholding – to the tune of 1.76 billion dollars, as reported by the UN's trade and development agency.

Israeli officials state they are retaining the funds due to the fact that the Authority provides payments to Palestinian prisoners that encourage attacks on Israelis. The PA – facing international pressure to enact reforms – says it has recently changed its welfare system.

A Modest Holiday

The bleak economic situation means that for numerous Christian Palestinians, even though there are currently public festivities as well as religious ceremonies, it will be an austere Christmas.

At the edge of Manger Square, a few customers wait to buy sizzling balls of falafel from a row of shops.

"We are getting ready for the holiday following one of our most challenging times as a Palestinian people and as a Christian community," says one restaurant owner, an owner of a restaurant called Afteem, a decades-old family-run eatery that has witnessed its income plummet. He says that recently numerous families could not even afford falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food.

"The faithful will attempt to mark the occasion but based on their situation," Mr Salameh expects. "Someone who wants to take his kids to a festival or a show or similar, they lack the funds to spend on these celebrations."

Prayers for Peace and Prosperity

Within the grotto at the base of the Nativity Church, a resident accompanies a tour group from India, bending down by a silver star which marks the spot where tradition states that Jesus was born and lighting a light nearby.

With tensions still high across the region, Bethlehem residents state they are praying for tranquility – and wishing for visitors to return to the location which is thought to be where Christmas started.