Bethlehem's Christmas Tree Illuminates for the First Time Since the Start of the Conflict

Throughout a two-year period amid the Gaza war, every festive public event for Christmas were cancelled within the city of Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This city is believed to be where Christians believe Jesus was born.

However, after a recent truce, this sacred city determined that this year celebrations would return, as symbolised by the lighting of its customary, large holiday tree before the historic Nativity Church.

"It's been a bad two years of silence; no Christmas, no jobs, no work," states Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here on tourism and the tourist trade had fallen to nothing."

He accepts that the idea to restart festivities was not without controversy, as suffering continues in Gaza – including for those in its tiny Christian community, many of whom have family ties in Bethlehem.

"Some may say it's not appropriate and others say it's appropriate," the mayor notes. "But deep inside my heart, I believed that this was the correct action to do since the Christmas season should never be stopped or cancelled. This is the light of hope for our community."

A Glimmer of Celebration Reappears

Locals – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – pose for selfies in front of the tree decorated with gold and red ornaments at Manger Square. They are accompanied by a handful of international visitors.

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

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

"This place is where everything began, so this is where we can send a message globally about what Christmas truly should be about. And this year, if Christmas is peaceful, then I hope it will bring a positive message for the entire world."

Economic Hopes and Difficulties

Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to illuminate Christmas trees in the coming days. Hotels – which have stood largely empty for the past two years – are seeing a rise in reservations from Palestinian citizens of Israel along with some foreign visitors.

One tourist from Russia, Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "In my view every person should visit at minimum one time in their life," she says.

"I hope many visitors will soon come back as it is sorrowful with few tourists. The only thing that is positive is you don't have lengthy queues – you can come and experience more. When I came before it was necessary to wait in line for a few hours at least."

Currently, the souvenir stores dotted around Bethlehem experience scant trade, and outside the cream-coloured walls of the Church of the Nativity, which date back to the 4th century, tour guides are mostly unoccupied. Before the conflict, it was typically packed with people.

"This is a tourist city; without tourism there is no life," expresses a guide named Hamza. "We hope to have people coming back like before: from Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, Latin America and all over. 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 in southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the war, many thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank have been prevented from entering Israel and Israeli settlements to work.

Meanwhile, public servants have received only partial 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 dollars, as reported by the UN's trade and development agency.

Israeli officials state they are retaining the funds because the PA makes financial payments to incarcerated Palestinians that incentivise violence against Israelis. The PA – facing global pressure to make reforms – claims it has recently changed its social welfare system.

An Austere Holiday

The grim economic outlook implies that for numerous Christian Palestinians, even though there are currently public events as well as religious services, it will constitute an austere Christmas.

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

"We are getting ready for the holiday following one of our most challenging times as a Palestinian people and as Christians," states Alaa Salameh, who runs a restaurant called Afteem, a long-established family-run eatery that has witnessed its revenues collapse. He says that recently many families could not even afford falafel – an inexpensive, traditional snack.

"The faithful will attempt to celebrate but based on their circumstances," Mr Salameh anticipates. "An individual wishing to take his kids to a festive event or a show or similar, he doesn't have the money to spend for this celebration."

Hopes for Peace and Prosperity

Within the grotto beneath the church, a resident accompanies a small Indian tour group, stooping down by a silver star which marks the location where tradition states Jesus was born and igniting a light close by.

Amid ongoing high tensions throughout the area, people in Bethlehem state they are praying for peace – and wishing for visitors to return to the location which is thought to be Christmas began.