Bethlehem's Holiday Tree Lights Up Once Again After the Outbreak of the Gaza War

For two years during the conflict in Gaza, every festive public event for Christmas were cancelled in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This place is where the faithful hold Jesus was born.

But, following the recent ceasefire, this sacred city decided that this year the festivities would return, as symbolised by the illumination of its customary, large holiday tree in front of the ancient Church of the Nativity.

"It's been two difficult years without celebration; no Christmas, no jobs, no work," remarks Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives on tourism and the tourist trade was down to nothing."

He accepts that the decision to restart festivities was not without controversy, as suffering continues within Gaza – which affects members of the small Christian population, many of whom have relatives to Bethlehem.

"Some may say it's not appropriate and others say it's appropriate," the mayor notes. "However, in my heart, I believed that this was the correct action to do because the Christmas season must never be stopped or cancelled. This represents a beacon of hope for us."

A Spark of Celebration Returns

Residents – both Christians and Muslims – pose for selfies in front of the tree hung with red and gold baubles in Manger Square. They are accompanied by a handful of international visitors.

Brightly coloured lights now decorate the streets and there are signs promoting holiday markets and festive events for children.

"We're very happy to have the tree, first of all, and to see foreigners to Bethlehem and to be able to celebrate Christmas in its authentic spirit," comments Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This is where it all started, therefore here is where we can convey the message globally of what really Christmas represents. And now, if the season is calm, then I hope it will bring a nice message for the whole world."

Economic Prospects and Challenges

Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to illuminate holiday trees soon. Hotels – which have remained largely empty for the past two years – have an influx of bookings from Palestinian citizens of Israel along with some foreign visitors.

One tourist from Russia, Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "In my view everyone needs to come at least once during their lifetime," she states.

"I hope many visitors will return soon because it's sad with few tourists. The only thing that is positive is you don't have long lines – you can come and see more things. When I came before you had to wait in a queue for a few hours minimum."

Currently, the souvenir stores scattered throughout Bethlehem have little business, and outside the cream-coloured walls of the Nativity Church, which originate from the Fourth Century, tour guides largely stand idle. Prior to the Gaza war, it was often crammed with people.

"Bethlehem is a city for tourists; without tourism there is no life," expresses a guide named Hamza. "We hope to see individuals returning like before: from Europe, the Middle Eastern region, America, Latin American and everywhere. We start with the Christmas tree lighting, and then we will wait."

The Lingering Economic Toll

In the past two years, unemployment has skyrocketed in Bethlehem. Following the lethal Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the war, tens of thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank have been prevented from entering Israel and its settlements for 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 collected by Israel, which it is withholding – to the tune of $1.76 billion, according to the UN's trade and development agency.

Israel says it is holding these funds because the PA makes financial payments to Palestinian prisoners that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The authority – which has been under global pressure to enact reforms – claims it has lately modified its social welfare system.

A Modest Holiday

The grim economic outlook implies that for many Christian Palestinians, despite the fact that there are now public festivities as well as religious services, it will be a subdued holiday season.

On the periphery of Manger Square, a few customers are waiting to buy hot balls of falafel from several shops.

"We're preparing for Christmas after one of our most challenging times as Palestinians and as Christians," states one restaurant owner, who runs Afteem, a long-established family restaurant that has witnessed its revenues collapse. He notes that recently numerous families could not even afford falafel – a cheap, traditional food.

"The faithful will attempt to celebrate but based on their situation," Mr Salameh expects. "Someone who wants to bring their children to a festive event or a show or similar, he doesn't have the funds to spend for this celebration."

Hopes for Peace and Prosperity

In the cave-like grotto at the base of the Nativity Church, a local woman follows a tour group from India, bending down near a silver star that indicates the location where tradition states that Jesus was born and igniting a light close by.

Amid ongoing high tensions across the region, people in Bethlehem state they are hoping for tranquility – and hoping for visitors to return to the location where it is believed Christmas began.