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

Throughout a two-year period during the Gaza war, all public celebrations marking the holiday season were called off within the city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This city is where Christians believe Jesus was born.

However, following the recent ceasefire, the holy city decided that this year celebrations would make a comeback, as represented by the illumination of its traditional, giant Christmas tree before the historic Nativity Church.

"We have endured two difficult years of silence; no holiday, no employment, no work," states the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here from tourism and tourism was down to zero."

He accepts that the idea to restart festivities faced some controversy, as suffering continues in Gaza – including for those in its small Christian population, many of whom have relatives to Bethlehem.

"Certain voices argue it is unsuitable while others contend it is fitting," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I believed that this was the correct action to take since Christmas should never be stopped or cancelled. This is the light of hope for us."

A Spark of Festivity Reappears

Locals – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – pose for selfies before the tree hung with red and gold baubles at Manger Square. They are accompanied by a small number of foreign tourists.

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 see foreigners in Bethlehem and to have the chance to observe the holiday in its true spirit," says Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This place is where everything began, so this is where we can send the message globally about what Christmas truly represents. And now, if the season is calm, then I hope it will deliver a positive message for the entire world."

Economic Prospects and Challenges

Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to light Christmas trees in the coming days. Hotels – which have remained largely empty for two years – have an influx of bookings from Palestinian citizens of Israel as well as some foreign visitors.

One tourist from Russia, Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "In my view every person should visit at least once in their life," she states.

"I hope many visitors will soon come back because it's sad with few tourists. The sole aspect that's good is you don't have long lines – you can come and experience more. On my prior visit it was necessary to wait in line for hours at least."

For now, the souvenir stores scattered throughout Bethlehem experience scant trade, and outside the cream-coloured walls of the Church of the Nativity, which originate from the Fourth Century, tour guides largely stand idle. Before the conflict, it was typically packed with visitors.

"Bethlehem is a city for tourists; absent visitors there is no life," expresses one guide Hamza. "We hope to see individuals coming back as in the past: from Europe, the Middle Eastern region, America, Latin American and everywhere. We begin with lighting the tree, and then we will wait."

The Persistent Economic Impact

Over the last two years, joblessness has soared in Bethlehem. Following the deadly attacks led by Hamas on southern Israel in October 2023 which triggered the conflict, many thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank have been blocked from entering Israel and Israeli settlements for work.

Meanwhile, government employees have received only partial wages by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers areas within the West Bank. The PA depends on tax revenues gathered by Israel, which it is withholding – amounting to 1.76 billion dollars, as reported by the UN's trade and development agency.

Israeli officials state they are retaining these funds because the Authority provides payments to Palestinian prisoners that encourage violence against Israelis. The authority – which has been under global pressure to make reforms – says it has lately modified its welfare system.

An Austere Christmas Season

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

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

"We're preparing for Christmas after one of our hardest periods as Palestinians and as a Christian community," says one restaurant owner, an owner of a restaurant called Afteem, a decades-old family-run eatery that has witnessed its revenues collapse. He notes that recently many families could not even purchase falafel – a cheap, traditional snack.

"Christians will try to mark the occasion but according to their circumstances," Mr Salameh expects. "An individual wishing to take his kids to a festive event or a show or whatever, he doesn't have the funds to spend on these celebrations."

Hopes for Peace and Prosperity

In the cave-like grotto at the base of the church, a local woman follows a small Indian tour group, stooping down near a silver star that indicates the spot where tradition states Jesus was born and lighting a candle close by.

Amid ongoing high tensions across the region, Bethlehem residents state they are praying for peace – and hoping for tourists to come back to the location which is thought to be Christmas began.