Bethlehem's Holiday Tree Lights Up for the First Time Since the Start of the Conflict

For two years amid the Gaza war, every festive public event for Christmas were called off in Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This city is where the faithful hold the birth of Jesus occurred.

However, following the recent ceasefire, the holy city determined 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 a bad two years of silence; no Christmas, no jobs, no income," remarks the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives on tourism and tourism was down to zero."

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

"Some may say it is unsuitable and others say it is fitting," Mr Canawati explains. "But deep inside my heart, I believed that this was the correct action to take since the Christmas season must never be stopped or cancelled. This represents the light of hope for us."

A Spark 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 accompanied by a small number of international visitors.

Vibrant lights now decorate city streets and there are signs advertising holiday markets and children's parties.

"We're very happy to see the tree, first of all, and to welcome visitors in Bethlehem and to have the chance to celebrate Christmas in its true spirit," comments Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This is where it all started, therefore here is where we can send the message to the world of what Christmas truly should be about. And now, if the season is calm, then I hope it will deliver a positive message for the entire world."

Economic Prospects and Challenges

The neighbouring towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to illuminate Christmas trees in the coming days. Local hotels – which have stood mostly vacant for 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 making her second pilgrimage to this region. "In my view everyone needs to come at minimum one time during their lifetime," she says.

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

For now, the souvenir stores scattered throughout Bethlehem have little business, and outside the cream-coloured walls of the Nativity Church, which originate from the 4th century, tour guides are mostly unoccupied. Before the Gaza war, it was often crammed with people.

"This is a tourist city; without tourism there is no life," expresses one guide Hamza. "We hope to have people coming back as in the past: from Europe, the Middle Eastern region, America, Latin American and all over. We start with the Christmas tree lighting, and then we will wait."

The Persistent Economic Toll

In the past two years, unemployment has skyrocketed within Bethlehem. Since the lethal attacks led by Hamas on southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the conflict, many thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank region have been prevented from entering Israel and its settlements to work.

At the same time, government employees have been paid just a portion of their wages by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs parts of the West Bank. The Authority relies on tax income collected by Israel, which it is withholding – amounting to $1.76 billion, according to the UN's trade and development agency.

Israeli officials state it is holding these funds due to the fact that the Authority provides financial payments to Palestinian prisoners that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The authority – which has been under global pressure to make reforms – says it has recently changed its social welfare system.

An Austere Holiday

The grim economic situation means that for many Palestinian Christians, even though 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 wait to purchase hot balls of falafel from several shops.

"We're preparing for Christmas following one of our hardest periods as a Palestinian people and as Christians," states Alaa Salameh, an owner of a restaurant called Afteem, a decades-old family restaurant which has seen its revenues collapse. He notes that recently numerous families could not even afford falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food.

"The faithful will attempt to mark the occasion but based on their circumstances," Mr Salameh expects. "Someone who wants to take his kids to a festive event or the theatre or whatever, he doesn't have the money to expend on these celebrations."

Hopes for Calm and Recovery

Within the grotto at the base of the church, a resident follows a small Indian tour group, stooping down near a silver star which marks the spot where tradition states Jesus was born and lighting a light nearby.

With tensions still high throughout the area, Bethlehem residents say they are praying for tranquility – and hoping for visitors to return to the place where it is believed Christmas began.