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

For two years amid the Gaza war, all public celebrations marking the holiday season were called off within the city of Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This city is believed to be where the faithful hold Jesus was born.

But, after a recent truce, this sacred city decided that now the festivities would make a comeback, as represented by the lighting of its customary, large holiday tree in front of the historic Nativity Church.

"We have endured a bad two years of silence; no Christmas, no jobs, no income," states the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here from tourism and the tourist trade had fallen to nothing."

He acknowledges that the idea to restart festivities faced some controversy, given the ongoing hardship in Gaza – including for members of the small Christian population, who often have family ties to Bethlehem.

"Some may say it is unsuitable and others say it's appropriate," the mayor notes. "However, in my heart, I believed this constituted the right thing to take since the Christmas season must never be stopped or cancelled. This is a beacon of hope for us."

A Glimmer of Festivity Returns

Locals – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – take photographs before the tree decorated with gold and red ornaments at Manger Square. They are accompanied by a small number of international visitors.

Brightly coloured lights now adorn the streets and there are signs promoting Christmas bazaars and festive events for children.

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

"This place is where it all started, so this is where we can send the message to the world of what Christmas truly should be about. And now, if the season is calm, I sincerely hope it will bring a positive message for the whole world."

Economic Prospects and Challenges

Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to light Christmas trees soon. Local hotels – which have remained largely empty for two years – are seeing a rise in reservations from Palestinian citizens of Israel as well as some foreign visitors.

One tourist from Russia, Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to this region. "In my view everyone needs to come at least once during their lifetime," she states.

"I wish a lot of people will return soon because it's sad without many tourists. The only thing that's good is that you don't have lengthy queues – one can visit and see more things. On my prior visit you had to wait in line for hours minimum."

For now, the gift shops dotted around Bethlehem experience scant trade, and near the cream-coloured walls of the Nativity Church, which originate from the 4th century, tour guides are mostly unoccupied. Prior to the Gaza war, it was typically packed with visitors.

"Bethlehem is a tourist city; absent visitors there is no livelihood," expresses a guide named Hamza. "We hope to see individuals coming back like before: from European nations, the Middle Eastern region, America, Latin America and all over. We start with lighting the tree, and we'll wait."

The Lingering Economic Toll

In the past two years, joblessness has soared within Bethlehem. Following the deadly attacks led by Hamas on southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the war, tens of thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank region have been prevented from entering Israel and Israeli settlements for work.

At the same time, public servants have been paid just a portion of their salaries from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs areas within the West Bank. The PA depends on tax income collected by Israel, which it is currently holding – to the tune of 1.76 billion dollars, as reported by a UN agency.

Israeli officials state they are retaining these funds because the PA makes payments to Palestinian prisoners that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The PA – facing international pressure to make reforms – says it has lately modified its social welfare system.

An Austere Holiday

The bleak economic outlook implies that for numerous Christian Palestinians, despite the fact that there are currently public festivities in addition to religious services, it will be an austere Christmas.

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

"We are getting ready for the holiday after one of our hardest periods as a Palestinian people and as a Christian community," says one restaurant owner, an owner of Afteem, a long-established family-run eatery that has witnessed its income plummet. He says that recently numerous families could not even afford falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food.

"The faithful will attempt to celebrate but based on their circumstances," Mr Salameh expects. "Someone who wants to take his kids to a festival or the theatre or whatever, they lack the funds to spend on these celebrations."

Prayers for Peace and Prosperity

In the cave-like grotto at the base of the Nativity Church, a local woman accompanies a small Indian tour group, bending down by a silver star that indicates the location where tradition states that Jesus was born and lighting a light nearby.

With tensions still high throughout the area, people in Bethlehem say they are hoping for peace – and hoping for tourists to come back to the place which is thought to be Christmas began.