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

For two years amid the Gaza war, all public celebrations for Christmas were cancelled in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This place is believed to be where the faithful hold Jesus was born.

However, after the recent ceasefire, this sacred city determined that now celebrations would return, as represented by the illumination of its customary, large holiday tree before the historic Nativity Church.

"We have endured two difficult years of silence; no Christmas, no jobs, no work," states the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here on tourism and the tourist trade had fallen to nothing."

The mayor accepts that the idea to restart festivities was not without debate, given the ongoing hardship in Gaza – including for members of the small Christian population, who often have relatives in Bethlehem.

"Certain voices argue it's not appropriate while others contend it's appropriate," the mayor notes. "But deep inside my heart, I felt this constituted the right thing to take because the Christmas season must never be stopped or cancelled. This represents a beacon of hope for our community."

A Glimmer of Festivity Reappears

Residents – both Christians and Muslims – take photographs before the tree hung with gold and red ornaments in Manger Square. They are joined by a small number of international visitors.

Brightly coloured lights now adorn city streets and there are signs advertising Christmas bazaars and children's parties.

"We're very happy to have the tree, first thing, and to see foreigners in Bethlehem and to have the chance to observe the holiday in its authentic spirit," says local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun.

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

Economic Prospects and Difficulties

Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to light holiday trees soon. Local hotels – which have stood largely empty for two years – have an influx of bookings from Arab citizens of Israel along with some foreign visitors.

A visitor from Russia, Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to this region. "I think every person should visit at minimum one time in their life," she says.

"I wish a lot of people will soon come back as it is sorrowful without many tourists. The sole aspect that is positive is that you don't have lengthy queues – you can come and see more things. On my prior visit it was necessary to wait in a queue for hours at least."

Currently, the souvenir stores dotted around the city experience scant trade, and near the cream-coloured walls of the Nativity Church, which date back to the Fourth Century, tour guides largely stand idle. Prior to the conflict, it was often crammed with people.

"Bethlehem is a tourist city; absent visitors there is no livelihood," laments a guide named Hamza. "We aspire to see individuals returning like before: from European nations, the Middle Eastern region, America, Latin America and all over. We begin with lighting the tree, and then we will wait."

The Lingering Economic Toll

Over the last two years, joblessness has soared within Bethlehem. Since the deadly attacks led by Hamas on southern Israel in October 2023 which triggered the conflict, many thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank have been prevented from entering Israel and Israeli settlements for work.

Meanwhile, public servants have been paid just a portion of their salaries by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs parts of the West Bank. The PA depends on tax revenues gathered by Israel, which it is withholding – amounting to $1.76 billion, as reported by a UN agency.

Israel says they are retaining these funds because the Authority provides payments to Palestinian prisoners that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The PA – facing international pressure to enact reforms – claims it has recently changed its social welfare system.

An Austere Christmas Season

The grim economic outlook means that for numerous Christian Palestinians, despite the fact that there are currently public events as well as religious services, it will be a subdued holiday season.

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

"We are getting ready for the holiday after one of our hardest periods as Palestinians and as Christians," says one restaurant owner, who runs Afteem, a decades-old family restaurant which has seen its revenues collapse. He says that recently many families could not even purchase falafel – a cheap, traditional food.

"Christians will try to mark the occasion but based on their circumstances," Mr Salameh anticipates. "An individual wishing to take his kids to a festive event or the theatre or whatever, he doesn't have the funds to spend for this celebration."

Prayers for Calm and Recovery

In the cave-like grotto at the base of the church, a resident follows a small Indian tour group, stooping down near a silver star which marks the location where it is said Jesus was born and lighting a light nearby.

Amid ongoing high tensions throughout the area, Bethlehem residents say they are praying for tranquility – and hoping for visitors to return to the location which is thought to be where Christmas started.