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

For two years amid the conflict in Gaza, every festive public event marking the holiday season were cancelled in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This city is believed to be where Christians believe the birth of Jesus occurred.

But, after the recent ceasefire, the holy city decided that this year celebrations would return, as represented by the lighting of its traditional, giant Christmas tree in front of the ancient Church of the Nativity.

"It's been two difficult years of silence; no holiday, no jobs, no work," remarks the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives on tourism and tourism was down to zero."

The mayor acknowledges that the decision of resuming celebrations faced some debate, given the ongoing hardship in Gaza – which affects members of the tiny Christian community, who often have family ties to Bethlehem.

"Certain voices argue it is unsuitable while others contend it's appropriate," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I believed that this was the right thing to do because the Christmas season must never be halted or abandoned. This represents a beacon of hope for our community."

A Spark of Celebration Reappears

Residents – both Christians and Muslims – take photographs before the tree decorated with gold and red ornaments in Manger Square. They are accompanied by a handful of foreign tourists.

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

"We're very happy 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 Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This is where everything began, therefore here is where we can send a message to the world 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 Challenges

Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to light Christmas trees in the coming days. Local hotels – which have remained largely empty for two years – are seeing a rise of bookings from Palestinian citizens of Israel along with some foreign visitors.

A visitor from Russia, named Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to this region. "In my view everyone needs to come at minimum one time in their life," she says.

"I hope many visitors will return soon because it's sad with few tourists. The only thing that's good is that there are no long lines – one can visit and see more things. When I came before you had to wait in a queue for hours at least."

For now, the gift shops dotted around the city have little business, and outside the pale walls of the Nativity Church, which date back to the Fourth Century, tour guides are mostly unoccupied. Before the Gaza war, it was often crammed with visitors.

"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 European nations, the Middle East, the Americas, 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 within Bethlehem. Since the deadly attacks led by Hamas on southern Israel during October 2023 that sparked the war, many thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank region 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 areas within the West Bank. The Authority depends on tax revenues gathered by Israel, which it is withholding – amounting to $1.76 billion, as reported by the UN's trade and development agency.

Israel says it is holding the funds due to the fact that the Authority provides payments to incarcerated Palestinians that incentivise violence against Israelis. The PA – which has been under global pressure to make reforms – claims it has recently changed its welfare system.

A Modest Holiday

The grim economic situation implies that for numerous Christian Palestinians, despite the fact that there are now public festivities in addition to religious services, it will constitute an austere Christmas.

On the periphery of the square, a few customers wait to purchase hot balls of falafel from a row of shops.

"We're preparing for Christmas after one of our hardest periods as Palestinians and as Christians," says Alaa Salameh, an owner of a restaurant called Afteem, a long-established family restaurant which has seen its income plummet. He notes lately numerous families could not even purchase falafel – an inexpensive, traditional snack.

"The faithful will attempt to celebrate but based on their situation," Mr Salameh expects. "Someone who wants to take his kids to a festive event or a show or similar, they lack the money to spend on these celebrations."

Hopes for Calm and Recovery

In the cave-like grotto beneath the church, a local woman follows a small Indian tour group, stooping down near a silver star that indicates the spot where it is said that Jesus was born and lighting a candle nearby.

Amid ongoing high tensions across the region, Bethlehem residents say they are hoping for tranquility – and wishing for tourists to come back to the place where it is believed where Christmas started.