Bethlehem's Christmas Tree Illuminates for the First Time After the Start of the Conflict

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

However, following a recent truce, the holy city determined that now celebrations would make a comeback, as symbolised by the lighting of its customary, giant Christmas tree before the historic Nativity Church.

"It's been two difficult years without celebration; no holiday, no employment, no income," states the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives from 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 within Gaza – including for members of the small Christian population, many of whom have relatives to Bethlehem.

"Some may say it is unsuitable and others say it's appropriate," the mayor notes. "But deep inside my heart, I believed that this was the correct action to do since the Christmas season should never be halted or abandoned. This represents the light of hope for our community."

A Glimmer of Festivity Reappears

Locals – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – pose for selfies before the tree hung with red and gold baubles at Manger Square. They are joined by a handful of foreign tourists.

Vibrant lights now adorn the streets with signs advertising holiday markets and festive events for children.

"We are delighted to see the tree, first of all, and to see foreigners in Bethlehem and to have the chance to observe the holiday in its true spirit," comments local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This place is where everything began, so this is where we can convey a message to the world about what really Christmas should be about. And now, if Christmas is peaceful, then I hope it will bring a nice message for the whole world."

Economic Prospects and Challenges

Nearby towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to light Christmas trees soon. Local hotels – which have stood mostly vacant for the past two years – are seeing a rise in reservations from Palestinian citizens of Israel along with certain international tourists.

One tourist from Russia, 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 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 experience more. When I came before you had to wait in a queue for a few hours at least."

Currently, the souvenir stores dotted around Bethlehem experience scant trade, and near the pale walls of the Church of the Nativity, which date back to the 4th century, tour guides largely stand idle. Prior to the conflict, it was often crammed with visitors.

"Bethlehem is a city for tourists; without tourism there is no life," expresses one guide Hamza. "We hope to have people returning like before: from European nations, the Middle Eastern region, the Americas, Latin America and everywhere. We begin 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 deadly Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel during 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.

At the same time, government employees have been paid only partial salaries by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs parts of the West Bank. The Authority relies on tax income gathered by Israel, which it is currently holding – amounting to 1.76 billion dollars, according to the UN's trade and development agency.

Israeli officials state they are retaining the funds due to the fact that the Authority provides payments to incarcerated Palestinians that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The authority – which has been under international pressure to enact reforms – says it has lately modified its welfare system.

A Modest Christmas Season

The grim economic outlook implies that for numerous Christian Palestinians, even though there are now public events in addition to religious ceremonies, it will constitute a subdued holiday season.

At the edge of the square, some patrons wait to purchase sizzling balls of falafel from a row of shops.

"We are getting ready for the holiday following one of our hardest periods as Palestinians and as a Christian community," says Alaa Salameh, who runs a restaurant called Afteem, a decades-old family restaurant which has seen its revenues collapse. He notes lately numerous families could not even afford falafel – a cheap, traditional snack.

"Christians will try to mark the occasion but according to their situation," Mr Salameh expects. "An individual wishing to bring their children to a festival or a show or whatever, they lack the funds to spend on these celebrations."

Hopes for Peace and Prosperity

Within the grotto at the base of the Nativity Church, a local woman accompanies a tour group from India, stooping down by a silver star that indicates the location where it is said that Jesus was born and igniting a candle close by.

Amid ongoing high tensions across the region, people in Bethlehem state they are hoping for peace – and hoping for tourists to come back to the place which is thought to be Christmas began.