Bethlehem's Holiday Tree Lighting Lights Up Once Again Since the Outbreak of the Gaza War

For two years during the conflict in Gaza, every festive public event marking the holiday season were cancelled within the city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This place is believed to be where the faithful hold Jesus was born.

But, after the recent ceasefire, this sacred city decided that now celebrations would return, as symbolised by the illumination of its customary, giant Christmas tree in front of the historic Nativity Church.

"It's been a bad two years without celebration; no Christmas, no jobs, no income," states Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here from tourism and the tourist trade had fallen to nothing."

He accepts that the decision of resuming celebrations was not without controversy, given the ongoing hardship within Gaza – including for members of the small Christian population, who often have relatives to Bethlehem.

"Some may say it's not appropriate and others say it's appropriate," Mr Canawati explains. "But deep inside my heart, I felt this constituted the right thing to do because Christmas should never be halted or abandoned. This represents a beacon of hope for us."

A Spark of Festivity Reappears

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

Vibrant lights now decorate the streets with signs advertising Christmas bazaars and festive events for children.

"We're very happy to have the tree, first of all, and to see foreigners in 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 send the message globally of what really Christmas should be about. And now, if the season is calm, then I hope it will bring a positive message for the whole world."

Economic Hopes and Difficulties

Nearby towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to illuminate Christmas trees in the coming days. Local hotels – which have remained largely empty for two years – are seeing a rise in reservations from Palestinian citizens of Israel as well as some foreign visitors.

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 says.

"I wish many visitors will soon come back because it's sad with few tourists. The only thing that's good is that there are no long lines – you can come and experience more. On my prior visit you had to wait in a queue for hours minimum."

For now, the souvenir stores dotted around the city experience scant trade, and near the pale walls of the Church of the Nativity, which originate from the 4th century, guides are mostly unoccupied. Prior to the Gaza war, it was typically packed with visitors.

"Bethlehem is a city for tourists; without tourism there is no livelihood," laments one guide Hamza. "We aspire to see individuals returning as in the past: from Europe, the Middle East, America, Latin American and all over. We start with the Christmas tree lighting, and then we will wait."

The Lingering Economic Impact

In the past two years, joblessness has soared within Bethlehem. Following the lethal Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel in October 2023 which triggered the war, many thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank region have been blocked from entering Israel and its settlements to work.

Meanwhile, public servants have received only partial salaries from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs parts of the West Bank. The Authority depends on tax income collected by Israel, which it is withholding – amounting to $1.76 billion, according to a UN agency.

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

A Modest Christmas Season

The grim economic situation implies that for numerous Palestinian Christians, despite the fact that there are currently public festivities in addition to religious services, it will constitute a subdued holiday season.

At the edge of Manger Square, a few customers are waiting to buy hot balls of falafel from a row of shops.

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

"The faithful will attempt to celebrate but based on their situation," Mr Salameh expects. "Someone who wants to take his kids to a festive event or the theatre or whatever, he doesn't have the money to expend for this celebration."

Prayers for Peace and Prosperity

Within the grotto at the base of the church, a local woman follows a small Indian tour group, stooping down by a silver star which marks the location where tradition states Jesus was born and lighting a candle nearby.

With tensions still high throughout the area, people in Bethlehem state they are praying for tranquility – and hoping for visitors to return to the place where it is believed Christmas began.