Bethlehem's Holiday Tree Lighting Illuminates Once Again Since the Start of the Gaza War

Throughout a two-year period amid the conflict in Gaza, all public celebrations marking the holiday season were called off in Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This place is where Christians believe the birth of Jesus occurred.

But, after the recent ceasefire, this sacred city determined that now celebrations would return, as represented by the illumination of its traditional, giant Christmas tree in front of the historic Nativity Church.

"It's been two difficult years of silence; no Christmas, no jobs, no work," states the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives on tourism and tourism had fallen to zero."

He accepts that the idea to restart festivities faced some debate, as suffering continues within Gaza – including for members of the small Christian population, who often have family ties to Bethlehem.

"Some may say it's not appropriate and others say it's appropriate," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I believed that this was the correct action to do because Christmas should never be halted or abandoned. This represents a beacon of hope for our community."

A Spark of Festivity Reappears

Residents – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – pose for selfies in front of the tree decorated with gold and red ornaments in Manger Square. They are joined by a small number of foreign tourists.

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 of all, and to see foreigners in Bethlehem and to have the chance to observe the holiday in its authentic spirit," comments Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This place is where it all started, therefore here is where we can convey the message globally of what really Christmas should be about. And this year, if the season is calm, I sincerely hope it will bring a positive message for the entire world."

Economic Prospects and Difficulties

The neighbouring towns of 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 of bookings from Arab citizens of Israel along with some foreign visitors.

One tourist from Russia, Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to this region. "In my view everyone needs to come at least once during their lifetime," she states.

"I hope many visitors will return soon because it's sad without many tourists. The only thing that's good is that there are no lengthy queues – 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 souvenir stores scattered throughout Bethlehem experience scant trade, and near the cream-coloured walls of the Nativity Church, which date back to the 4th century, guides largely stand idle. Prior to the Gaza war, it was often crammed with visitors.

"This is a city for tourists; absent visitors there is no life," laments one guide Hamza. "We aspire to have people coming back as in the past: from Europe, the Middle Eastern region, America, Latin America and everywhere. We start with lighting the tree, and then we will wait."

The Lingering Economic Toll

In the past two years, unemployment has skyrocketed in Bethlehem. Following the lethal attacks led by Hamas in southern Israel during October 2023 which triggered the war, tens of thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank have been blocked from entering Israel and Israeli settlements to work.

Meanwhile, government employees have received only partial salaries by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers areas within the West Bank. The Authority relies on tax income collected by Israel, which it is withholding – to the tune of $1.76 billion, as reported by a UN agency.

Israel says they are retaining the funds because the PA makes financial payments to Palestinian prisoners that encourage violence against Israelis. The authority – which has been under international pressure to make reforms – claims it has recently changed its welfare system.

An Austere Christmas Season

The bleak economic situation means that for numerous Palestinian Christians, even though there are currently public festivities as well as religious ceremonies, it will be an austere Christmas.

On the periphery of the square, some patrons wait to purchase hot balls of falafel from a row of shops.

"We're preparing for the holiday after one of our most challenging times as a Palestinian people and as Christians," states Alaa Salameh, an owner of a restaurant called Afteem, a decades-old family-run eatery that has witnessed its income plummet. He says that recently numerous families could not even purchase falafel – a cheap, traditional food.

"Christians will try to mark the occasion but based on their circumstances," Mr Salameh expects. "Someone who wants to take his kids to a festival or a show or whatever, they lack the money to expend on these celebrations."

Hopes for Calm and Recovery

In the cave-like grotto beneath the Nativity Church, a local woman follows a small Indian tour group, stooping down by a silver star that indicates the spot where tradition states that Jesus was born and lighting a light nearby.

With tensions still high throughout the area, Bethlehem residents state they are praying for peace – and hoping for visitors to return to the place which is thought to be Christmas began.