Bethlehem's Holiday Tree Lighting Illuminates for the First Time Since the Outbreak of the Gaza War

Throughout a two-year period amid the Gaza war, every festive public event marking the holiday season were called off within the city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This city is believed to be where Christians believe the birth of Jesus occurred.

However, following the recent ceasefire, this sacred city determined that this year the festivities would make a comeback, as symbolised by the illumination of its traditional, giant Christmas tree before the ancient Church of the Nativity.

"It's been two difficult years without celebration; no Christmas, no jobs, no income," remarks the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here on tourism and tourism had fallen to zero."

The mayor acknowledges that the decision to restart festivities faced some debate, as suffering continues in Gaza – which affects members of the tiny Christian community, many of whom have relatives to Bethlehem.

"Some may say it's not appropriate while others contend it is fitting," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I felt that this was the correct action to do because Christmas should never be halted or abandoned. This represents a beacon of hope for us."

A Glimmer of Festivity Returns

Residents – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – take photographs in front of the tree hung with red and gold baubles in Manger Square. They are joined by a handful of foreign tourists.

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

"We are delighted to see the tree, first of all, and to welcome visitors in Bethlehem and to be able 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 to the world about what Christmas truly represents. And now, if the season is calm, I sincerely hope it will deliver a nice message for the entire world."

Economic Hopes and Difficulties

Nearby towns of 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 in reservations from Palestinian citizens of Israel as well as 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 minimum one time during their lifetime," she states.

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

Currently, the gift shops scattered throughout the city experience scant trade, and near the pale walls of the Church of the Nativity, which originate from the Fourth Century, tour guides are mostly unoccupied. Before the conflict, it was often crammed with visitors.

"This is a tourist city; absent visitors there is no life," expresses a guide named Hamza. "We hope to see individuals returning as in the past: from European nations, the Middle Eastern region, America, Latin America and everywhere. We start with the Christmas tree lighting, and then we will wait."

The Lingering Economic Toll

Over the last two years, unemployment has skyrocketed within Bethlehem. Following the deadly Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel in October 2023 which triggered the conflict, many thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank region have been prevented from entering Israel and its settlements to work.

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

Israel says they are retaining the funds because the PA makes financial payments to incarcerated Palestinians that encourage violence against Israelis. The authority – which has been under international pressure to enact reforms – claims it has lately modified its welfare system.

A Modest Christmas Season

The bleak economic situation means that for many Palestinian Christians, despite the fact that there are currently public events in addition to religious services, it will constitute an austere Christmas.

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

"We're preparing for the holiday after one of our hardest periods as Palestinians and as a Christian community," says one restaurant owner, an owner of Afteem, a long-established family-run eatery that has witnessed its revenues collapse. He notes that recently numerous families could not even afford falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food.

"Christians will try to celebrate but according to their circumstances," Mr Salameh expects. "Someone who wants to bring their children to a festival or the theatre or whatever, he doesn't have the funds to expend on these celebrations."

Hopes for Peace and Prosperity

In the cave-like grotto at the base of the Nativity Church, a resident accompanies a tour group from India, bending down near a silver star which marks the location where it is said that Jesus was born and lighting a candle close by.

Amid ongoing high tensions throughout the area, Bethlehem residents state they are hoping for tranquility – and hoping for tourists to come back to the location where it is believed Christmas began.