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

For two years amid the conflict in Gaza, every festive public event for Christmas were called off in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This city is where the faithful hold Jesus was born.

However, after the recent ceasefire, the holy city decided that now celebrations would make a comeback, as represented by the lighting of its customary, large holiday tree in front of the historic Nativity Church.

"It's been two difficult years of silence; no Christmas, no employment, no income," remarks the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here on tourism and tourism was down to zero."

The mayor accepts that the idea to restart festivities faced some debate, as suffering continues within Gaza – which affects those in its small Christian population, many of whom have family ties 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 right thing to take since the Christmas season should never be halted or abandoned. This represents a beacon of hope for our community."

A Spark of Festivity Reappears

Residents – both Christians and Muslims – pose for selfies in front of the tree hung with red and gold baubles in Manger Square. They are accompanied by a small number of international visitors.

Vibrant lights now adorn the streets and there are signs promoting Christmas bazaars and children's parties.

"We're very happy to have the tree, first of all, and to see foreigners in Bethlehem and to be able to celebrate Christmas in its authentic spirit," comments Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This place is where it all started, therefore here is where we can send the message globally of what Christmas truly represents. And this year, if Christmas is peaceful, then I hope it will bring a positive message for the whole world."

Economic Prospects and Challenges

Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to light holiday trees in the coming days. Hotels – which have remained mostly vacant for the past two years – have an influx in reservations from Arab citizens of Israel along with some foreign visitors.

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

"I wish a lot of people will soon come back because it's sad without many tourists. The sole aspect that's good is you don't have long lines – one can visit and see more things. When I came before you had to wait in line for hours minimum."

Currently, the gift shops scattered throughout Bethlehem have little business, and near the pale walls of the Nativity Church, which originate from the 4th century, tour guides are mostly unoccupied. Before the conflict, it was often crammed with people.

"Bethlehem is a tourist city; absent visitors there is no livelihood," expresses a guide named Hamza. "We hope to have people returning like before: from Europe, the Middle Eastern region, the Americas, Latin American and everywhere. We start with the Christmas tree lighting, and we'll wait."

The Persistent Economic Impact

In the past two years, joblessness has soared within Bethlehem. Following the lethal Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel during October 2023 that sparked the conflict, tens of thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank have been blocked from entering Israel and Israeli settlements for work.

At the same time, government employees have received only partial salaries from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs parts of the West Bank. The PA depends on tax income gathered by Israel, which it is currently holding – to the tune of 1.76 billion dollars, as reported by a UN agency.

Israeli officials state they are retaining these funds due to the fact that the Authority provides payments to Palestinian prisoners that encourage violence against Israelis. The authority – facing global pressure to make reforms – claims it has recently changed its social welfare system.

A Modest Christmas Season

The bleak economic outlook means that for numerous Palestinian Christians, despite the fact that there are currently public festivities as well as religious ceremonies, it will constitute an austere Christmas.

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

"We're preparing for the holiday after one of our most challenging times as Palestinians and as Christians," states one restaurant owner, who runs Afteem, a decades-old family restaurant that has witnessed its revenues collapse. He notes lately many families could not even purchase falafel – a cheap, traditional snack.

"Christians will try to celebrate but based on their circumstances," Mr Salameh expects. "An individual wishing to bring their children to a festival or a show or whatever, they lack the money to expend for this celebration."

Hopes for Peace and Prosperity

In the cave-like grotto beneath the church, a local woman follows a tour group from India, bending down near a silver star that indicates the location where it is said Jesus was born and igniting a light close by.

Amid ongoing high tensions across the region, Bethlehem residents say they are hoping for peace – and hoping for tourists to come back to the location which is thought to be where Christmas started.