The Christmas Tree Lighting Illuminates Once Again After the Outbreak of the Gaza War

For two years during the conflict in Gaza, all public celebrations for Christmas were cancelled in Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This place is believed to be where the faithful hold Jesus was born.

However, after the recent ceasefire, this sacred city decided that now the festivities would make a comeback, as symbolised by the illumination of its customary, giant Christmas tree before the ancient Church of the Nativity.

"It's been a bad two years without celebration; no Christmas, no employment, no work," remarks the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives from tourism and tourism was down to nothing."

He acknowledges that the decision of resuming celebrations was not without controversy, given the ongoing hardship within Gaza – including for members of the small Christian population, many of whom have relatives in Bethlehem.

"Some may say it is unsuitable and others say it is fitting," the mayor notes. "But deep inside my heart, I believed that this was the correct action to do since Christmas must never be stopped or cancelled. This represents the light of hope for our community."

A Glimmer of Festivity Reappears

Locals – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – pose for selfies in front of the tree hung with red and gold baubles in Manger Square. They are joined by a handful of international visitors.

Vibrant lights now adorn city streets and there are signs promoting Christmas bazaars and festive events for children.

"We're very happy to have the tree, first thing, and to welcome visitors to Bethlehem and to have the chance 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 a message globally about what Christmas truly represents. And this year, if the season is calm, then I hope it will bring a nice message for the whole world."

Economic Hopes and Difficulties

The neighbouring towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to illuminate holiday trees in the coming days. Local hotels – which have stood largely empty for two years – are seeing a rise of bookings from Palestinian citizens of Israel as well as some foreign visitors.

A visitor from Russia, named Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to this region. "In my view every person should visit at minimum one time in their life," she says.

"I wish many visitors will return soon because it's sad without many tourists. The sole aspect that is positive is there are no lengthy queues – one can visit and experience more. On my prior visit you had to wait in line for hours minimum."

For now, the gift shops scattered throughout Bethlehem experience scant trade, and near the pale walls of the Nativity Church, which originate from the Fourth Century, tour guides are mostly unoccupied. Prior to the Gaza war, it was typically packed with visitors.

"This is a tourist city; absent visitors there is no livelihood," laments one guide Hamza. "We aspire to see individuals returning as in the past: from European nations, the Middle East, America, Latin America and all over. We begin with lighting the tree, and then we will wait."

The Persistent Economic Toll

Over the last two years, unemployment has skyrocketed within Bethlehem. Following the lethal attacks led by Hamas on southern Israel during October 2023 that sparked the conflict, tens of thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank have been prevented from entering Israel and its settlements for work.

At the same time, public servants have been paid only partial salaries from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers parts of the West Bank. The Authority depends on tax revenues gathered by Israel, which it is currently holding – to the tune of $1.76 billion, according to the UN's trade and development agency.

Israeli officials state they are retaining the funds because the Authority provides payments to Palestinian prisoners that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The authority – facing international pressure to enact reforms – claims it has recently changed its social welfare system.

A Modest Holiday

The grim economic situation means that for numerous Palestinian Christians, even though there are now public events in addition to religious ceremonies, it will be an austere Christmas.

At the edge of the square, some patrons wait to purchase sizzling balls of falafel from a row of shops.

"We're preparing for Christmas following one of our hardest periods as a Palestinian people and as a Christian community," says Alaa Salameh, an owner of Afteem, a decades-old family restaurant that has witnessed its revenues collapse. He says lately many families could not even afford falafel – an inexpensive, traditional snack.

"Christians will try to mark the occasion but based on their situation," Mr Salameh anticipates. "An individual wishing to bring their children to a festival or the theatre or similar, he doesn't have the money to expend on these celebrations."

Hopes for Peace and Prosperity

Within the grotto at the base of the church, a resident accompanies a tour group from India, stooping down by a silver star that indicates the location where it is said that Jesus was born and igniting a light nearby.

Amid ongoing high tensions throughout the area, people in Bethlehem say they are hoping for tranquility – and hoping for visitors to return to the place which is thought to be where Christmas started.