The Holiday Tree Lighting Illuminates for the First Time After the Outbreak of the Conflict

For two years during the Gaza war, all public celebrations for Christmas were cancelled within the city of Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This place is where Christians believe the birth of Jesus occurred.

However, after a recent truce, this sacred city determined that now the festivities would return, as symbolised by the illumination of its customary, large holiday tree in front of the ancient Church of the Nativity.

"It's been a bad two years without celebration; no holiday, no employment, no income," states Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives from tourism and tourism was down to nothing."

The mayor accepts that the decision to restart festivities faced some controversy, given the ongoing hardship within Gaza – including for those in its small Christian population, who often have relatives in Bethlehem.

"Some may say it's not appropriate while others contend it is fitting," Mr Canawati explains. "But deep inside my heart, I believed that this was the right thing to take because Christmas must never be halted or abandoned. This is the light of hope for us."

A Glimmer of Festivity Reappears

Residents – both Christians and Muslims – pose for selfies 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 advertising holiday markets and children's parties.

"We are delighted to have the tree, first thing, and to see foreigners in Bethlehem and to have the chance to celebrate Christmas in its authentic spirit," comments local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun.

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

Economic Prospects and Difficulties

The neighbouring towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to illuminate Christmas trees soon. Local hotels – which have stood largely empty for two years – are seeing a rise in reservations from Arab citizens of Israel along with some foreign visitors.

One tourist from Russia, Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "I think everyone needs to come at minimum one time during their lifetime," she states.

"I wish a lot of people will soon come back as it is sorrowful without many tourists. The sole aspect that is positive is that there are no long lines – you can come and see more things. When I came before it was necessary to wait in line for a few hours minimum."

For now, the gift shops dotted around Bethlehem have little business, and near the cream-coloured walls of the Nativity Church, which originate from the 4th century, tour guides largely stand idle. Before the Gaza war, it was often crammed with people.

"Bethlehem is a tourist city; without tourism there is no livelihood," expresses one guide Hamza. "We aspire to see individuals coming back like before: from European nations, the Middle Eastern region, America, Latin American 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. Since the deadly attacks led by Hamas in southern Israel during October 2023 which triggered the war, many thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank region have been blocked from entering Israel and Israeli settlements for work.

At the same time, government employees have received just a portion of their wages 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 – to the tune of 1.76 billion dollars, as reported by a UN agency.

Israel says they are retaining these funds because the Authority provides financial payments to incarcerated Palestinians that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The authority – which has been under international pressure to make reforms – claims it has lately modified its welfare system.

An Austere Christmas Season

The bleak economic outlook implies that for many Palestinian Christians, even though there are currently public festivities in addition to religious ceremonies, it will constitute a subdued holiday season.

At the edge of the square, a few customers are waiting to purchase hot balls of falafel from several shops.

"We are getting ready for the holiday after one of our hardest periods as Palestinians and as Christians," says Alaa Salameh, who runs Afteem, a long-established family-run eatery that has witnessed its income plummet. He notes 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 money to spend on these celebrations."

Hopes for Calm and Recovery

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

With tensions still high across the region, Bethlehem residents say they are praying for peace – and wishing for tourists to come back to the location which is thought to be where Christmas started.