Bethlehem's Holiday Tree Lighting Lights Up Once Again After the Start of the Conflict

For two years during the Gaza war, all public celebrations for Christmas were called off within the city of Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This place is where Christians believe Jesus was born.

However, following the recent ceasefire, the holy city determined that now the festivities would make a comeback, as symbolised by the illumination of its traditional, giant Christmas tree before the historic Nativity Church.

"We have endured two difficult years of silence; no holiday, no jobs, no income," remarks Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here from tourism and the tourist trade had fallen to nothing."

He accepts that the idea to restart festivities was not without controversy, as suffering continues within Gaza – including for those in its tiny Christian community, many of whom have relatives to Bethlehem.

"Certain voices argue it's not appropriate while others contend it is fitting," Mr Canawati explains. "But deep inside my heart, I felt this constituted the right thing to do since Christmas should never be halted or abandoned. This represents a beacon of hope for our community."

A Spark of Festivity Returns

Locals – both Christians and Muslims – take photographs in front of the tree hung with red and gold baubles at Manger Square. They are joined by a handful of international visitors.

Vibrant lights now adorn the streets with signs promoting holiday markets and children's parties.

"We are delighted to see the tree, first thing, and to see foreigners in Bethlehem and to have the chance to celebrate Christmas in its true spirit," says local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This is where everything began, therefore here is where we can send the message globally of what Christmas truly should be about. And now, if the season is calm, I sincerely hope it will deliver a positive message for the whole world."

Economic Prospects and Difficulties

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

One tourist from Russia, Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "I think everyone needs to come at minimum one time in their life," she states.

"I wish a lot of people will return soon because it's sad with few tourists. The only thing that is positive 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 a few 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, guides are mostly unoccupied. Before the conflict, it was often crammed with visitors.

"Bethlehem is a city for tourists; absent visitors there is no life," expresses a guide named Hamza. "We aspire to see individuals coming back as in the past: from European nations, the Middle East, America, Latin American and all over. We start with the Christmas tree lighting, and we'll wait."

The Persistent Economic Toll

Over the last two years, unemployment has skyrocketed within Bethlehem. Following the deadly 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 prevented from entering Israel and Israeli settlements for work.

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

Israel says it is holding the funds because the PA makes payments to incarcerated Palestinians that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The PA – facing international pressure to make reforms – claims it has recently changed its social welfare system.

An Austere Christmas Season

The bleak economic outlook means that for many Christian Palestinians, even though there are now public festivities in addition to religious ceremonies, it will be a subdued holiday season.

On the periphery of Manger Square, some patrons wait to purchase hot balls of falafel from several shops.

"We're preparing for the holiday following one of our most challenging times as a Palestinian people and as a Christian community," states Alaa Salameh, an owner of a restaurant called Afteem, a long-established family-run eatery which has seen its revenues collapse. He notes that recently many families could not even afford falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food.

"Christians will try to celebrate but according to their circumstances," Mr Salameh anticipates. "An individual wishing to take his kids to a festival or the theatre or whatever, he doesn't have the money to expend on these celebrations."

Hopes for Calm and Recovery

In the cave-like grotto beneath the Nativity Church, a local woman accompanies a small Indian tour group, bending down near a silver star which marks the spot where tradition states Jesus was born and igniting a light nearby.

Amid ongoing high tensions throughout the area, people in Bethlehem state they are praying for peace – and wishing for visitors to return to the place where it is believed Christmas began.