Bethlehem's Holiday Tree Lighting Illuminates Once Again After the Start of the Gaza War

Throughout a two-year period amid the conflict in Gaza, every festive public event for Christmas were called off in Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This city is believed to be where Christians believe the birth of Jesus occurred.

However, after the recent ceasefire, this sacred city decided that now celebrations would return, as represented by the lighting of its traditional, large holiday tree in front of the ancient Church of the Nativity.

"It's been two difficult years without celebration; no holiday, no jobs, no income," remarks the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives from tourism and tourism had fallen to nothing."

The mayor accepts that the idea to restart festivities faced some controversy, given the ongoing hardship within Gaza – which affects members of the small Christian population, many of whom have family ties in Bethlehem.

"Certain voices argue it is unsuitable and others say it's appropriate," the mayor notes. "But deep inside my heart, I felt this constituted the correct action to take since the Christmas season must never be halted or abandoned. This represents the light of hope for us."

A Spark 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 small number of international visitors.

Vibrant lights now adorn the streets with signs advertising 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 have the chance to celebrate Christmas in its true spirit," comments Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun.

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

Economic Hopes and Difficulties

The neighbouring towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to illuminate holiday trees soon. Hotels – which have stood mostly vacant for two years – are seeing a rise in reservations from Palestinian citizens of Israel along with some foreign visitors.

One tourist from Russia, named Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to this region. "In my view every person should visit at least once in their life," she says.

"I hope many visitors will return soon as it is sorrowful with few tourists. The sole aspect that's good is that there are no lengthy queues – you can come and see more things. When I came before it was necessary to wait in line for a few hours at least."

For now, the gift shops scattered throughout the city have little business, and near the pale walls of the Church of the Nativity, which date back to the 4th century, guides largely stand idle. Before the Gaza war, it was typically packed with people.

"This is a tourist city; absent visitors there is no livelihood," laments a guide named Hamza. "We hope to have people returning as in the past: from European nations, the Middle Eastern region, America, Latin American and everywhere. We start with lighting the tree, and then we will wait."

The Persistent Economic Impact

Over the last two years, unemployment has skyrocketed within Bethlehem. Since the deadly Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel during October 2023 that sparked the conflict, tens of thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank have been prevented from entering Israel and its settlements to work.

Meanwhile, government employees have been paid only partial salaries by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers areas within the West Bank. The PA relies on tax revenues gathered by Israel, which it is currently holding – amounting to 1.76 billion dollars, according to a UN agency.

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

A Modest Christmas Season

The bleak economic situation implies that for numerous Palestinian Christians, even though there are now public events as well as religious ceremonies, it will constitute a subdued holiday season.

On the periphery of Manger Square, some patrons are waiting to buy sizzling balls of falafel from a row of shops.

"We're preparing for the holiday after one of our most challenging times as Palestinians and as a Christian community," says Alaa Salameh, who runs a restaurant called Afteem, a decades-old family restaurant that has witnessed its revenues collapse. He says that recently numerous families could not even purchase falafel – an inexpensive, traditional snack.

"The faithful will attempt to mark the occasion but based on their situation," Mr Salameh expects. "An individual wishing to bring their children to a festive event or the theatre or similar, they lack the funds to spend for this celebration."

Prayers for Calm and Recovery

In the cave-like grotto at the base of the church, a local woman accompanies a small Indian tour group, bending down near a silver star that indicates the location where it is said that Jesus was born and lighting a candle nearby.

With tensions still high across the region, Bethlehem residents state they are hoping for peace – and wishing for visitors to return to the place where it is believed Christmas began.