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

For two years during the Gaza war, every festive public event marking the holiday season were called off in Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This place is believed to be where Christians believe Jesus was born.

However, after the recent ceasefire, the holy city determined that now the festivities would return, as symbolised by the illumination of its traditional, large holiday tree in front of the historic Nativity Church.

"We have endured a bad two years without celebration; no Christmas, no employment, no income," remarks Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here from tourism and the tourist trade was down to zero."

The mayor accepts that the idea to restart festivities faced some controversy, given the ongoing hardship within Gaza – including for members of the tiny Christian community, who often have relatives to Bethlehem.

"Certain voices argue 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 take since the Christmas season must never be stopped or cancelled. This represents a beacon of hope for us."

A Spark of Festivity Returns

Residents – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – take photographs before the tree decorated with red and gold baubles in Manger Square. They are accompanied by a handful of international visitors.

Brightly coloured lights now decorate the streets with signs promoting Christmas bazaars and festive events for children.

"We are delighted to see the tree, first thing, and to welcome visitors in Bethlehem and to be able to celebrate Christmas in its authentic spirit," comments local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This is where it all started, therefore here 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 deliver a positive message for the entire world."

Economic Hopes and Challenges

The neighbouring towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to illuminate holiday trees in the coming days. Hotels – which have remained largely empty for the past two years – are seeing a rise in reservations from Arab citizens of Israel along with certain international tourists.

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 during their lifetime," she says.

"I hope many visitors will soon come back as it is sorrowful with few tourists. The sole aspect that's good is there are no lengthy queues – you can come and experience more. On my prior visit you had to wait in line for hours minimum."

For now, the gift shops dotted around Bethlehem have little business, and outside the cream-coloured 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.

"This is a city for tourists; absent visitors there is no life," laments one guide Hamza. "We hope to have people returning like before: from Europe, the Middle Eastern region, America, Latin American and everywhere. We start with lighting the tree, and then we will wait."

The Persistent Economic Toll

In the past two years, unemployment has skyrocketed within Bethlehem. Following the lethal Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the war, many thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank region have been blocked from entering Israel and Israeli settlements for work.

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

Israeli officials state they are retaining the funds due to the fact that the Authority provides financial payments to Palestinian prisoners that incentivise violence against Israelis. The PA – facing global pressure to enact reforms – claims it has lately modified its welfare system.

A Modest Christmas Season

The grim economic situation means that for many Christian Palestinians, despite the fact that there are currently public festivities in addition to religious ceremonies, it will be a subdued holiday season.

On the periphery of Manger Square, some patrons wait to purchase hot balls of falafel from a row of shops.

"We are getting ready for the holiday following one of our most challenging times as Palestinians and as a Christian community," states one restaurant owner, an owner of a restaurant called Afteem, a long-established family-run eatery which has seen its revenues collapse. He notes lately many families could not even afford falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food.

"The faithful will attempt to celebrate but according to their situation," 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."

Prayers for Calm and Recovery

Within the grotto at the base of the Nativity Church, a local woman accompanies a tour group from India, bending down near a silver star which marks the location where it is said Jesus was born and igniting a candle nearby.

With tensions still high across the region, Bethlehem residents state they are praying for tranquility – and hoping for visitors to return to the location which is thought to be Christmas began.