Bethlehem's Holiday Tree Lighting Lights Up Once Again After the Outbreak of the Conflict

Throughout a two-year period during the Gaza war, all public celebrations marking the holiday season were cancelled within the city of Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This city is where the faithful hold Jesus was born.

However, following a recent truce, the holy city determined that this year celebrations would return, as symbolised by the illumination of its traditional, giant Christmas tree before the ancient Church of the Nativity.

"We have endured a bad two years of silence; no holiday, no employment, no work," states the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here on tourism and tourism had fallen to zero."

He accepts that the idea of resuming celebrations faced some controversy, given the ongoing hardship within Gaza – including for members of the tiny Christian community, who often have family ties to Bethlehem.

"Some may say it is unsuitable while others contend it is fitting," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I believed this constituted the correct action to do since Christmas should never be halted or abandoned. This represents a beacon of hope for our community."

A Spark of Festivity Reappears

Locals – both Christians and Muslims – take photographs in front of the tree hung with gold and red ornaments at Manger Square. They are accompanied by a small number of foreign tourists.

Vibrant lights now decorate city streets and there are signs advertising holiday markets and children's parties.

"We're very happy to have the tree, first thing, and to welcome visitors in Bethlehem and to be able to celebrate Christmas in its true spirit," comments Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This place is where it all started, therefore here is where we can convey a message globally of what Christmas truly should be about. And now, if the season is calm, I sincerely hope it will bring a nice message for the entire world."

Economic Prospects and Difficulties

Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to light holiday trees in the coming days. Local hotels – which have stood largely empty for the past two years – have an influx of bookings from Palestinian citizens of Israel as well as certain international tourists.

One tourist from Russia, named Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to this region. "I think every person should visit at least once during their lifetime," she states.

"I hope a lot of people will return soon as it is sorrowful with few tourists. The only thing that is positive is there are no long lines – you can come and see more things. When I came before you had to wait in line for a few hours at least."

For now, the gift shops scattered throughout Bethlehem have little business, and outside the pale walls of the Nativity Church, which originate from the Fourth Century, tour guides largely stand idle. Before the conflict, it was often crammed with people.

"Bethlehem is a city for tourists; without tourism there is no livelihood," laments a guide named Hamza. "We aspire to see individuals coming back like before: from European nations, the Middle East, America, Latin America and all over. We start with lighting the tree, and then we will wait."

The Lingering Economic Toll

In the past two years, joblessness has soared within Bethlehem. Following the deadly Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel in October 2023 which triggered the conflict, tens of thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank have been blocked from entering Israel and its settlements for work.

Meanwhile, public servants have received 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 currently holding – amounting to $1.76 billion, as reported by a UN agency.

Israel says it is holding these funds because the Authority provides payments to incarcerated Palestinians that encourage violence against Israelis. The PA – facing global pressure to make reforms – claims it has recently changed its welfare system.

A Modest Holiday

The grim economic situation means that for many Christian Palestinians, even though there are now public events as well as religious services, it will constitute a subdued holiday season.

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

"We're preparing for the holiday following one of our hardest periods as a Palestinian people and as Christians," says Alaa Salameh, an owner of a restaurant called Afteem, a long-established family restaurant which has seen its income plummet. He notes lately many families could not even purchase falafel – a cheap, traditional food.

"The faithful will attempt to mark the occasion but based on their situation," Mr Salameh expects. "Someone who wants to bring their children to a festive event or a show or similar, he doesn't have the money to expend for this celebration."

Prayers for Calm and Recovery

Within the grotto beneath the Nativity Church, a local woman accompanies a tour group from India, bending down near a silver star that indicates the location where tradition states Jesus was born and igniting a light close by.

Amid ongoing high tensions across the region, people in Bethlehem state they are praying for peace – and hoping for visitors to return to the place where it is believed Christmas began.