Bethlehem's Christmas Tree Lighting Lights Up for the First Time After the Start of the Gaza War

For two years during the conflict in Gaza, every festive public event for Christmas were called off in Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This city is where Christians believe the birth of Jesus occurred.

But, following a recent truce, the holy city decided that this year celebrations would make a comeback, as represented by the lighting of its traditional, giant Christmas tree in front of the ancient Church of the Nativity.

"It's been two difficult years without celebration; no holiday, no jobs, no work," remarks Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here from tourism and the tourist trade was down to nothing."

He accepts that the decision of resuming celebrations was not without controversy, given the ongoing hardship in Gaza – including for those in its small Christian population, who often have relatives in 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 because Christmas should never be halted or abandoned. This represents a beacon of hope for our community."

A Spark of Celebration Reappears

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 handful of international visitors.

Brightly coloured lights now adorn the streets with signs advertising Christmas bazaars and children's parties.

"We're very happy to see the tree, first thing, and to see foreigners in Bethlehem and to be able to celebrate Christmas in its true spirit," says local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This place is where it all started, so this is where we can convey a message to the world of what Christmas truly should be about. And this year, if Christmas is peaceful, then I hope it will deliver a nice message for the entire world."

Economic Hopes and Challenges

The neighbouring towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to light holiday trees in the coming days. Local hotels – which have stood largely empty for the past two years – have an influx in reservations from Arab citizens of Israel along with some foreign visitors.

One tourist from Russia, Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to this region. "I think every person should visit at least once during their lifetime," she states.

"I wish many visitors will soon come back as it is sorrowful with few tourists. The only thing that's good is there are no lengthy queues – you can come and see more things. On my prior visit it was necessary to wait in a queue for a few hours at least."

For now, the gift shops dotted around Bethlehem have little business, and outside the cream-coloured walls of the Nativity Church, which originate from the Fourth Century, tour guides largely stand idle. Prior to the conflict, it was typically packed with visitors.

"Bethlehem is a tourist city; absent visitors there is no livelihood," laments a guide named Hamza. "We hope to see individuals returning like before: from European nations, the Middle Eastern region, the Americas, Latin America and all over. We start with lighting the tree, and we'll wait."

The Lingering Economic Toll

Over the last two years, joblessness has soared in Bethlehem. Following the deadly Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel during October 2023 which triggered the war, many thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank region have been prevented from entering Israel and its settlements to work.

Meanwhile, government employees have been paid just a portion of their salaries by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers 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, according to a UN agency.

Israeli officials state they are retaining the funds because the Authority provides financial payments to incarcerated Palestinians that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The PA – which has been under global pressure to enact reforms – says it has lately modified its social welfare system.

An Austere Holiday

The bleak economic outlook implies that for many Christian Palestinians, despite the fact that there are currently public festivities as well as religious services, it will constitute an austere Christmas.

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

"We are getting ready for the holiday following one of our most challenging times as Palestinians and as a Christian community," states one restaurant owner, who runs a restaurant called Afteem, a decades-old family restaurant which has seen its revenues collapse. He says lately numerous families could not even afford falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food.

"Christians will try to mark the occasion but based on their circumstances," Mr Salameh expects. "An individual wishing to take his kids to a festival or a show or similar, he doesn't have the money to spend on these celebrations."

Prayers for Calm and Recovery

Within the grotto at the base of the Nativity Church, a local woman accompanies a small Indian tour group, stooping down near a silver star that indicates the spot where tradition states that Jesus was born and igniting a light close by.

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