Bethlehem's Christmas Tree Lights Up Once Again After the Start of the Conflict

For two years during the Gaza war, all public celebrations for Christmas were cancelled within the city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This place is believed to be where the faithful hold the birth of Jesus occurred.

However, after the recent ceasefire, the holy city determined that this year the festivities would make a comeback, as symbolised by the illumination of its traditional, large holiday tree in front of the historic Nativity Church.

"We have endured two difficult years without celebration; no holiday, no employment, no work," states the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here on tourism and tourism had fallen to zero."

The mayor accepts that the decision of resuming celebrations faced some debate, as suffering continues within Gaza – which affects those in its tiny Christian community, who often have family ties to Bethlehem.

"Some may say it's not appropriate while others contend it is fitting," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I believed that this was the right thing to take because the Christmas season must never be stopped or cancelled. This is a beacon of hope for us."

A Glimmer of Festivity Returns

Locals – both Christians and Muslims – take photographs in front of the tree hung with red and gold baubles at Manger Square. They are accompanied by a handful of international visitors.

Brightly coloured lights now adorn city streets and there are signs advertising Christmas bazaars and festive events for children.

"We're very happy to have the tree, first thing, and to welcome visitors in Bethlehem and to be able to celebrate Christmas in its true spirit," comments Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This is where it all started, therefore here is where we can send the message to the world about what really Christmas represents. And this year, if the season is calm, I sincerely hope it will bring a nice message for the entire world."

Economic Hopes and Challenges

Nearby towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to illuminate Christmas trees soon. Hotels – which have remained mostly vacant for the past two years – are seeing a rise of bookings from Arab citizens of Israel along with some foreign visitors.

A visitor from Russia, named Angelica, is making 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 as it is sorrowful without many tourists. The only thing that is positive is that there are no long lines – one can visit and see more things. When I came before you had to wait in line for hours at least."

For now, the gift shops scattered throughout the city experience scant trade, and outside the pale walls of the Church of the Nativity, which originate from the 4th century, tour guides largely stand idle. Before the conflict, it was often crammed with visitors.

"Bethlehem is a tourist city; without tourism there is no life," laments a guide named Hamza. "We hope to have people coming back as in the past: from European nations, the Middle East, America, Latin American and everywhere. We begin with the Christmas tree lighting, and then we will wait."

The Lingering Economic Toll

In the past two years, unemployment has skyrocketed in Bethlehem. Following the deadly attacks led by Hamas on southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the conflict, many thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank region have been prevented from entering Israel and its settlements for work.

At the same time, government employees have been paid just a portion of their salaries by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs areas within the West Bank. The PA depends on tax revenues collected by Israel, which it is withholding – to the tune of $1.76 billion, as reported by the UN's trade and development agency.

Israel says they are retaining these funds due to the fact that the Authority provides payments to incarcerated Palestinians that encourage attacks on Israelis. The PA – facing international pressure to make reforms – claims it has recently changed its welfare system.

An Austere Christmas Season

The bleak economic situation means that for numerous Christian Palestinians, despite the fact that there are currently public festivities in addition to religious ceremonies, it will constitute a subdued holiday season.

On the periphery of Manger Square, some patrons are waiting to buy hot balls of falafel from a row of shops.

"We're preparing for Christmas following one of our most challenging times as Palestinians and as Christians," says Alaa Salameh, who runs a restaurant called Afteem, a decades-old family-run eatery which has seen its revenues collapse. He notes that recently numerous families could not even purchase falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food.

"Christians will try to mark the occasion but according to their circumstances," Mr Salameh expects. "Someone who wants to take his kids to a festival or the theatre or similar, they lack the funds to spend on these celebrations."

Prayers for Calm and Recovery

Within the grotto beneath the Nativity Church, a resident follows a small Indian tour group, stooping down near a silver star that indicates the location where tradition states that Jesus was born and lighting a candle close by.

Amid ongoing high tensions across the region, Bethlehem residents state they are hoping for peace – and wishing for visitors to return to the location which is thought to be Christmas began.