Bethlehem's Christmas Tree Lights Up Once Again Since the Start of the Conflict

For two years during the Gaza war, every festive public event marking the holiday season were cancelled in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This place is believed to be where the faithful hold the birth of Jesus occurred.

However, following a recent truce, this sacred city determined that now celebrations would return, as symbolised by the illumination of its customary, large holiday tree in front of the historic Nativity Church.

"We have endured a bad two years of silence; no holiday, no employment, no income," remarks the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives on tourism and the tourist trade had fallen to nothing."

The mayor accepts that the idea to restart festivities was not without debate, as suffering continues in Gaza – including for members of the tiny Christian community, many of whom have family ties to Bethlehem.

"Some may say it's not appropriate and others say it is fitting," Mr Canawati explains. "But deep inside my heart, I believed this constituted the correct action to take because the Christmas season should never be stopped or cancelled. This represents the light of hope for our community."

A Spark of Celebration Returns

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 foreign tourists.

Brightly coloured lights now decorate the streets with signs promoting Christmas bazaars and children's parties.

"We are delighted to see the tree, first of all, 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 a message globally about what Christmas truly should be about. And now, if Christmas is peaceful, I sincerely hope it will bring a nice message for the whole world."

Economic Prospects and Challenges

Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to illuminate holiday trees in the coming days. Local hotels – which have remained largely empty for two years – have an influx in reservations from Palestinian citizens of Israel along with certain international tourists.

One tourist from Russia, named Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "In my view everyone needs to come at minimum one time in their life," she states.

"I wish many visitors will return soon as it is sorrowful with few tourists. The only thing that is positive is that there are no lengthy queues – one can visit and see more things. On my prior visit you had to wait in a queue for a few hours minimum."

Currently, the gift shops scattered throughout the city experience scant trade, and near the pale walls of the Nativity Church, which date back to the 4th century, guides largely stand idle. Before the conflict, it was often crammed with people.

"Bethlehem is a tourist city; without tourism there is no life," expresses a guide named Hamza. "We aspire to see individuals returning like before: from Europe, the Middle East, America, Latin American and everywhere. We begin with lighting the tree, and we'll wait."

The Lingering Economic Toll

In the past two years, unemployment has skyrocketed within Bethlehem. Since the lethal Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel in October 2023 which triggered the war, tens of thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank have been prevented from entering Israel and its settlements to work.

Meanwhile, government employees have received only partial wages by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers parts of the West Bank. The Authority relies on tax revenues collected by Israel, which it is withholding – 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 international pressure to enact reforms – claims it has recently changed its welfare system.

A Modest Christmas Season

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

On the periphery of the square, some patrons are waiting to purchase hot balls of falafel from a row of shops.

"We're preparing for the holiday after one of our hardest periods as a Palestinian people and as Christians," states Alaa Salameh, an owner of a restaurant called Afteem, a decades-old family-run eatery that has witnessed its income plummet. He notes lately numerous 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 the theatre or similar, they lack the money to expend on these celebrations."

Hopes for Calm and Recovery

Within the grotto at the base of the church, a resident accompanies a small Indian tour group, bending down by a silver star which marks the location where it is said that Jesus was born and lighting a candle close by.

Amid ongoing high tensions throughout the area, Bethlehem residents say they are praying for peace – and wishing for visitors to return to the place where it is believed where Christmas started.