The Christmas Tree Lights Up for the First Time Since the Outbreak of the Conflict

Throughout a two-year period during the Gaza war, all public celebrations for Christmas were cancelled within the city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This place is believed to be where the faithful hold the birth of Jesus occurred.

But, after a recent truce, this sacred city determined that now the festivities would return, as represented by the illumination of its customary, giant Christmas tree before the historic Nativity Church.

"We have endured two difficult years without celebration; no Christmas, no jobs, no work," remarks Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here from tourism and the tourist trade had fallen to nothing."

He acknowledges that the idea to restart festivities faced some controversy, given the ongoing hardship in Gaza – which affects members of the small Christian population, who often have relatives to Bethlehem.

"Some may say it is unsuitable while others contend it's appropriate," the mayor notes. "But deep inside my heart, I believed that this was the right thing to do since the Christmas season must never be halted or abandoned. This represents the light of hope for us."

A Glimmer of Celebration Returns

Residents – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – take photographs 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 and there are signs advertising Christmas bazaars and children's parties.

"We are delighted to see the tree, first thing, and to welcome visitors in Bethlehem and to be able to celebrate Christmas in its authentic spirit," comments Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This place is where everything began, so this is where we can convey the message globally of what really Christmas represents. And this year, if the season is calm, then I hope it will bring a nice message for the entire world."

Economic Prospects and Challenges

Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to light Christmas trees in the coming days. Hotels – which have stood largely empty for the past two years – have an influx of bookings from Arab citizens of Israel as well as certain international tourists.

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

"I hope a lot of people will soon come back as it is sorrowful without many tourists. The sole aspect that's good is that there are no long lines – one can visit and see more things. When I came before you had to wait in a queue for hours at least."

Currently, the gift shops dotted around the city experience scant trade, and near the cream-coloured walls of the Church of the Nativity, which originate from the 4th century, guides largely stand idle. Prior to the Gaza war, it was typically packed with people.

"Bethlehem is a city for tourists; absent visitors there is no livelihood," laments a guide named Hamza. "We hope to have people returning like before: from European nations, the Middle East, America, Latin American and everywhere. We start with lighting the tree, and then we will wait."

The Lingering Economic Impact

Over the last two years, unemployment has skyrocketed within Bethlehem. Since the lethal attacks led by Hamas in southern Israel during October 2023 which triggered 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, public servants have been paid just a portion of their salaries from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers parts of the West Bank. The PA relies on tax revenues collected by Israel, which it is withholding – to the tune of $1.76 billion, 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 encourage attacks on Israelis. The authority – facing international pressure to make reforms – claims it has recently changed its social welfare system.

An Austere Holiday

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

At the edge of the square, some patrons are waiting to buy sizzling balls of falafel from several shops.

"We are getting ready for the holiday following one of our hardest periods as a Palestinian people and as a Christian community," says Alaa Salameh, an owner of Afteem, a decades-old family restaurant that has witnessed its revenues collapse. He says that recently many families could not even afford falafel – a cheap, traditional snack.

"Christians will try to mark the occasion but based on their circumstances," Mr Salameh anticipates. "An individual wishing to bring their children to a festive event or a show or whatever, they lack the money to expend for this celebration."

Hopes for Peace and Prosperity

Within the grotto beneath the church, a local woman accompanies a tour group from India, bending down by a silver star that indicates the location where tradition states that Jesus was born and igniting a light nearby.

With tensions still high throughout the area, Bethlehem residents say they are praying for peace – and hoping for visitors to return to the location which is thought to be where Christmas started.