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

Throughout a two-year period amid the conflict in Gaza, all public celebrations marking the holiday season were cancelled in Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This city is where Christians believe Jesus was born.

However, after the recent ceasefire, the holy city decided that this year the festivities would make a comeback, as represented by the lighting of its traditional, large holiday tree before the historic Nativity Church.

"It's been two difficult years of silence; no Christmas, no employment, no income," states the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives on tourism and the tourist trade was down to zero."

The mayor accepts that the decision of resuming celebrations faced some debate, given the ongoing hardship within Gaza – which affects those in its tiny Christian community, who often have relatives to Bethlehem.

"Certain voices argue it is unsuitable while others contend it is fitting," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I believed this constituted the correct action to take since Christmas must never be stopped or cancelled. This is the light of hope for us."

A Glimmer of Festivity Returns

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

Brightly coloured lights now decorate city streets with signs advertising Christmas bazaars and festive events for children.

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

"This is where everything began, so this is where we can send the message globally about what really Christmas represents. And this year, if Christmas is peaceful, I sincerely hope it will bring a positive message for the entire world."

Economic Hopes and Difficulties

The neighbouring towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to light holiday trees in the coming days. Local hotels – which have stood mostly vacant for two years – have an influx of bookings from Arab citizens of Israel as well as certain international tourists.

A visitor from Russia, named Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "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 sole aspect that is positive is you don't have lengthy queues – you can come and see more things. On my prior visit you had to wait in line for a few hours at least."

Currently, the souvenir stores dotted around the city experience scant trade, and near the cream-coloured walls of the Church of the Nativity, which originate from the Fourth Century, tour guides are mostly unoccupied. Prior to the conflict, it was typically packed with visitors.

"This is a tourist city; absent visitors there is no life," expresses one guide Hamza. "We hope to have people returning like before: from European nations, the Middle East, America, Latin American and all over. We begin with the Christmas tree lighting, and then we will wait."

The Persistent Economic Toll

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

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

Israel says they are retaining the funds because the PA makes financial payments to incarcerated Palestinians that incentivise violence against Israelis. The authority – which has been under international pressure to make reforms – claims it has lately modified its social welfare system.

An Austere Holiday

The grim economic outlook implies that for numerous Christian Palestinians, despite the fact that there are currently public events in addition to religious ceremonies, it will be a subdued holiday season.

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

"We are getting ready for the holiday following one of our most challenging times as Palestinians and as Christians," states Alaa Salameh, an owner of Afteem, a decades-old family restaurant which has seen its revenues collapse. He says that recently numerous families could not even afford falafel – a cheap, traditional snack.

"The faithful will attempt to mark the occasion but according to their situation," Mr Salameh anticipates. "Someone who wants to bring their children to a festival or the theatre or whatever, they lack the funds to expend on these celebrations."

Prayers for Peace and Prosperity

In the cave-like grotto beneath the church, a resident follows a small Indian tour group, stooping down by a silver star that indicates the location where tradition states that Jesus was born and igniting a light close by.

With tensions still high throughout the area, people in Bethlehem say they are praying for tranquility – and wishing for visitors to return to the location which is thought to be where Christmas started.