The Christmas Tree Illuminates for the First Time After the Outbreak of the Conflict

Throughout a two-year period amid the conflict in Gaza, every festive public event for Christmas were called off within the city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This place is where the faithful hold the birth of Jesus occurred.

But, following the recent ceasefire, the holy city determined that now the festivities would make a comeback, as represented by the lighting of its customary, large holiday tree before the historic Nativity Church.

"It's been two difficult years of silence; no holiday, no employment, no work," remarks the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here on tourism and tourism had fallen to zero."

The mayor acknowledges that the decision of resuming celebrations was not without debate, as suffering continues within Gaza – which affects those in its small Christian population, many of whom have relatives in Bethlehem.

"Certain voices argue it's not appropriate and others say it is fitting," Mr Canawati explains. "But deep inside my heart, I felt that this was the right thing to do because the Christmas season must never be stopped or cancelled. This represents the light of hope for us."

A Glimmer of Celebration Returns

Residents – both Christians and Muslims – pose for selfies before the tree hung with gold and red ornaments in Manger Square. They are accompanied by a handful of international visitors.

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

"We're very happy to have the tree, first thing, and to see foreigners to Bethlehem and to have the chance to observe the holiday in its true spirit," says local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun.

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

Economic Prospects and Difficulties

The neighbouring towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to light holiday trees soon. Local hotels – which have stood largely empty for the past two years – are seeing a rise in reservations from Palestinian citizens of Israel as well as certain international tourists.

One tourist from Russia, Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to this region. "In my view every person should visit at least once during their lifetime," she says.

"I hope a lot of people will return soon as it is sorrowful without many tourists. The sole aspect that's good is that there are no lengthy queues – one can visit and see more things. On my prior visit it was necessary to wait in a queue for hours minimum."

Currently, the souvenir stores scattered throughout Bethlehem experience scant trade, and outside the pale walls of the Church of the Nativity, which date back to the Fourth Century, tour guides are mostly unoccupied. Before the Gaza war, it was often crammed with visitors.

"Bethlehem is a tourist city; without tourism there is no livelihood," laments one guide Hamza. "We hope to see individuals returning like before: from Europe, the Middle Eastern region, America, Latin American and everywhere. We start with the Christmas tree lighting, and we'll wait."

The Lingering Economic Impact

Over the last two years, unemployment has skyrocketed within Bethlehem. Since the lethal Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel during October 2023 which triggered the conflict, many thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank region have been blocked from entering Israel and Israeli settlements for work.

Meanwhile, public servants have received only partial wages by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs areas within the West Bank. The Authority relies on tax revenues gathered by Israel, which it is currently holding – amounting to $1.76 billion, as reported by a UN agency.

Israeli officials state they are retaining these funds because the PA makes payments to Palestinian prisoners that encourage attacks on Israelis. The authority – which has been under global pressure to make reforms – says it has lately modified its welfare system.

An Austere Holiday

The grim economic outlook implies that for numerous Christian Palestinians, even though there are now public events as well as religious services, it will be a subdued holiday season.

On the periphery of Manger Square, a few customers are waiting to buy hot balls of falafel from several shops.

"We are getting ready for Christmas after one of our hardest periods as Palestinians and as a Christian community," says one restaurant owner, who runs Afteem, a decades-old family restaurant that has witnessed its income plummet. He notes lately numerous families could not even purchase falafel – a cheap, traditional snack.

"Christians will try to celebrate but based on their circumstances," Mr Salameh expects. "An individual wishing to bring their children to a festive event or the theatre or whatever, he doesn't have the funds to expend for this celebration."

Hopes for Peace and Prosperity

In the cave-like grotto beneath the Nativity Church, a resident follows a tour group from India, bending down by a silver star which marks the spot where it is said Jesus was born and igniting a candle nearby.

Amid ongoing high tensions across the region, people in Bethlehem say they are praying for peace – and hoping for tourists to come back to the place where it is believed Christmas began.