Bethlehem's Christmas Tree Illuminates for the First Time Since the Outbreak of the Gaza War

Throughout a two-year period amid the conflict in Gaza, every festive public event marking the holiday season were called off within the city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This city is believed to be where the faithful hold Jesus was born.

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

"We have endured two difficult years of silence; no holiday, no jobs, no income," remarks the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives on tourism and tourism was down to nothing."

He accepts that the idea to restart festivities was not without controversy, given the ongoing hardship in Gaza – which affects 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," the mayor notes. "But deep inside my heart, I believed this constituted the right thing to take because the Christmas season must never be stopped or cancelled. This represents a beacon of hope for our community."

A Glimmer of Celebration Returns

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

Brightly coloured lights now adorn the streets with signs promoting holiday markets and children's parties.

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

"This is where it all started, therefore here is where we can convey the message globally of what really Christmas represents. And now, if the season is calm, then I hope it will deliver a positive message for the whole world."

Economic Hopes and Challenges

The neighbouring towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to illuminate holiday trees in the coming days. Local hotels – which have stood mostly vacant for the past two years – are seeing a rise of bookings from Arab 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 during their lifetime," she says.

"I wish many visitors will soon come back because it's sad without many tourists. The only thing that's good is you don't have long lines – one can visit and see more things. When I came before you had to wait in line for a few hours at least."

Currently, the gift shops dotted around the city have little business, and outside the cream-coloured walls of the Church of the Nativity, which originate from the Fourth Century, tour guides largely stand idle. Prior to the Gaza war, it was often crammed with people.

"This is a tourist city; absent visitors there is no livelihood," expresses one guide Hamza. "We aspire to see individuals returning as in the past: from European nations, the Middle East, the Americas, Latin American and everywhere. We begin with the Christmas tree lighting, and we'll wait."

The Lingering Economic Toll

In the past two years, joblessness has soared within Bethlehem. Since the lethal Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel during October 2023 which triggered the war, many thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank have been prevented from entering Israel and Israeli settlements for work.

Meanwhile, government employees have received just a portion of their wages from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs areas within the West Bank. The PA relies on tax revenues collected by Israel, which it is currently holding – amounting to 1.76 billion dollars, according to a UN agency.

Israeli officials state it is holding the funds because the PA makes financial payments to incarcerated Palestinians that encourage attacks on Israelis. The authority – which has been under global pressure to enact reforms – says it has lately modified its welfare system.

A Modest Christmas Season

The grim economic situation means that for many Palestinian Christians, despite the fact that there are now public festivities in addition to religious services, it will constitute a subdued holiday season.

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

"We're preparing for Christmas following one of our hardest periods as a Palestinian people and as a Christian community," says Alaa Salameh, an owner of Afteem, a long-established family-run eatery which has seen its income plummet. He notes that recently numerous families could not even purchase falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food.

"The faithful will attempt to celebrate but according to their circumstances," Mr Salameh anticipates. "An individual wishing to take his kids to a festival or a show or similar, they lack the money to expend on these celebrations."

Prayers for Calm and Recovery

Within the grotto at the base of the church, a resident follows a tour group from India, bending down by a silver star which marks the location where it is said Jesus was born and igniting a light nearby.

With tensions still high across the region, Bethlehem residents say they are hoping for tranquility – and hoping for tourists to come back to the location which is thought to be Christmas began.