Bethlehem's Holiday Tree Lighting Illuminates for the First Time After the Start of the Conflict

For two years during the Gaza war, all public celebrations marking the holiday season were called off in Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This city is where Christians believe Jesus was born.

However, following a recent truce, this sacred city decided that now the festivities would return, as symbolised by the illumination of its traditional, giant Christmas tree before the ancient Church of the Nativity.

"It's been a bad two years without celebration; no Christmas, no jobs, no income," remarks Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives from tourism and the tourist trade had fallen to nothing."

He accepts that the idea of resuming celebrations faced some debate, given the ongoing hardship in Gaza – including for those in its small Christian population, who often have relatives to Bethlehem.

"Certain voices argue it's not appropriate and others say it's appropriate," the mayor notes. "However, in my heart, I felt this constituted the correct action to do because Christmas should never be halted or abandoned. This represents the light of hope for our community."

A Spark of Festivity Returns

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 international visitors.

Brightly coloured lights now decorate the streets with signs promoting Christmas bazaars and children's parties.

"We are delighted to have the tree, first of all, and to see foreigners to Bethlehem and to have the chance to observe the holiday in its true spirit," comments local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This place is where it all started, so this is where we can convey a message globally of what really Christmas should be about. And this year, if the season is calm, then I hope it will bring a nice message for the whole world."

Economic Prospects and Challenges

Nearby towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to light Christmas trees soon. Hotels – which have remained mostly vacant for two years – have an influx in reservations from Arab citizens of Israel as well as certain international tourists.

One tourist from Russia, named Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "In my view everyone needs to come at minimum one time during their lifetime," she says.

"I wish many visitors will soon come back because it's sad without many tourists. The sole aspect that's good is you don't have lengthy queues – one can visit and see more things. When I came before you had to wait in line for a few hours at least."

Currently, the souvenir stores dotted around Bethlehem have little business, and near the cream-coloured walls of the Nativity Church, which originate from the 4th century, guides are mostly unoccupied. Before the Gaza war, it was often crammed with people.

"This is a city for tourists; absent visitors there is no life," laments a guide named Hamza. "We hope to have people returning as in the past: from Europe, the Middle Eastern region, America, Latin America and everywhere. We begin with the Christmas tree lighting, and then we will wait."

The Persistent Economic Toll

Over the last two years, joblessness has soared in Bethlehem. Since the lethal attacks led by Hamas on southern Israel in October 2023 which triggered the war, tens of thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank region have been prevented from entering Israel and its settlements for work.

At the same time, public servants have received just a portion of their salaries by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers areas within the West Bank. The Authority depends on tax income gathered by Israel, which it is withholding – to the tune of $1.76 billion, according to the UN's trade and development agency.

Israel says they are retaining these funds due to the fact that the PA makes payments to Palestinian prisoners that encourage violence against Israelis. The authority – facing international pressure to enact reforms – claims it has lately modified its welfare system.

A Modest Holiday

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

On the periphery of Manger Square, a few customers are waiting to buy sizzling balls of falafel from several shops.

"We are getting ready for the holiday after one of our hardest periods as Palestinians and as Christians," states one restaurant owner, who runs a restaurant called Afteem, a decades-old family restaurant that has witnessed its income plummet. He says that recently many families could not even purchase falafel – a cheap, traditional snack.

"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 the theatre or similar, he doesn't have the funds to expend 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, bending down near a silver star which marks the location where it is said Jesus was born and lighting a candle close by.

Amid ongoing high tensions throughout the area, Bethlehem residents state they are praying for peace – and hoping for visitors to return to the location where it is believed where Christmas started.