Bethlehem's Christmas Tree Lighting Illuminates Once Again Since the Start of the Gaza War

Throughout a two-year period amid the Gaza war, all public celebrations for Christmas were cancelled within the city of Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This city is believed to be where Christians believe Jesus was born.

But, following the recent ceasefire, the holy city determined that now the festivities would return, as represented by the illumination of its traditional, giant Christmas tree before the historic Nativity Church.

"We have endured a bad two years without celebration; no holiday, no employment, no work," states Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here from tourism and tourism had fallen to zero."

He accepts that the idea of resuming celebrations faced some controversy, as suffering continues within Gaza – including for those in its small Christian population, who often have family ties in Bethlehem.

"Some may say it is unsuitable and others say it's appropriate," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I believed that this was the right thing to do since Christmas must never be stopped or cancelled. This represents the light of hope for our community."

A Glimmer of Celebration Reappears

Residents – both Christians and Muslims – pose for selfies in front of the tree decorated with gold and red ornaments at Manger Square. They are joined by a small number of foreign tourists.

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

"We're very happy to see the tree, first thing, and to welcome visitors in Bethlehem and to be able to celebrate Christmas in its authentic spirit," says local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This place is where it all started, so this is where we can convey a message to the world about what really Christmas represents. And this year, if Christmas is peaceful, I sincerely hope it will bring a nice message for the whole world."

Economic Prospects and Challenges

The neighbouring 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 as well as certain international tourists.

A visitor from Russia, named Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "I think everyone needs to come at least once during their lifetime," she says.

"I hope a lot of people will return soon because it's sad with few tourists. The sole aspect that's good is that there are no lengthy queues – you can come and experience more. When I came before it was necessary to wait in a queue for a few hours minimum."

Currently, the gift shops dotted around the city experience scant trade, and outside the pale walls of the Church of the Nativity, which originate from the Fourth Century, guides largely stand idle. Prior to the conflict, it was typically packed with visitors.

"Bethlehem is a tourist city; absent visitors there is no livelihood," laments a guide named Hamza. "We hope to have people coming back as in the past: 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, joblessness has soared within Bethlehem. Since the deadly attacks led by Hamas in southern Israel during October 2023 which triggered the conflict, many thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank have been prevented from entering Israel and Israeli settlements to work.

Meanwhile, public servants have received only partial wages by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs parts of the West Bank. The Authority relies on tax income gathered by Israel, which it is withholding – amounting to $1.76 billion, according to the UN's trade and development agency.

Israeli officials state it is holding the funds because the PA makes financial payments to Palestinian prisoners that encourage violence against Israelis. The PA – which has been under global pressure to make reforms – claims it has lately modified its social welfare system.

An Austere Holiday

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

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

"We're preparing for the holiday following one of our most challenging times as Palestinians and as a Christian community," states Alaa Salameh, who runs a restaurant called Afteem, a decades-old family-run eatery which has seen its revenues collapse. He says that recently numerous families could not even afford falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food.

"Christians will try to celebrate but based on their situation," Mr Salameh anticipates. "An individual wishing to bring their children to a festive event or a show or similar, they lack the funds to expend on these celebrations."

Prayers for Calm and Recovery

Within the grotto beneath the church, a local woman follows a tour group from India, stooping down near a silver star that indicates the spot where tradition states Jesus was born and lighting a light close by.

With tensions still high throughout the area, people in Bethlehem state they are hoping for tranquility – and wishing for tourists to come back to the location where it is believed Christmas began.