The Christmas Tree Lights Up for the First Time After the Start of the Gaza War
For two years during the Gaza war, every festive public event marking the holiday season were cancelled within the city of Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This city is believed to be where the faithful hold Jesus was born.
However, following the recent ceasefire, the holy city determined that now the festivities would make a comeback, as represented by the lighting of its traditional, giant Christmas tree before the ancient Church of the Nativity.
"It's been two difficult years of silence; no holiday, no jobs, no income," remarks Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives on tourism and tourism had fallen to nothing."
He accepts that the idea to restart festivities faced some controversy, as suffering continues within Gaza – including for those in its tiny Christian community, many of whom have family ties to Bethlehem.
"Certain voices argue it's not appropriate and others say it is fitting," the mayor notes. "However, in my heart, I believed that this was the correct action to take since the Christmas season must never be halted or abandoned. This represents the light of hope for us."
A Spark of Festivity Returns
Locals – both Christians and Muslims – pose for selfies before the tree hung with gold and red ornaments in Manger Square. They are joined by a handful of international visitors.
Vibrant lights now decorate city streets with signs promoting holiday markets and festive events for children.
"We are delighted to have the tree, first thing, and to see foreigners to Bethlehem and to have the chance to observe the holiday in its authentic spirit," says local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun.
"This is where it all started, so this is where we can convey the message globally about what Christmas truly represents. And this year, if Christmas is peaceful, then I hope it will deliver a positive message for the entire world."
Economic Hopes and Challenges
The neighbouring towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to light Christmas trees in the coming days. Hotels – which have stood largely empty for two years – have an influx of bookings from Arab citizens of Israel along with some foreign visitors.
A visitor from Russia, Angelica, is making 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 return soon because it's sad without many tourists. The sole aspect that is positive is you don't have long lines – you can come and see more things. When I came before it was necessary to wait in a queue for hours minimum."
For now, the souvenir stores scattered throughout the city experience scant trade, and near the cream-coloured walls of the Nativity Church, which date back to the Fourth Century, guides are mostly unoccupied. Prior to the conflict, it was typically packed with visitors.
"Bethlehem is a city for tourists; absent visitors there is no life," expresses one guide Hamza. "We aspire to see individuals coming back like before: from European nations, the Middle East, the Americas, Latin American and all over. We start with lighting the tree, and then we will wait."
The Lingering Economic Toll
In the past two years, joblessness has soared in Bethlehem. Since the lethal attacks led by Hamas on southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the war, many thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank have been blocked from entering Israel and its settlements to work.
At the same time, government employees have been paid only partial wages from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs parts of the West Bank. The PA relies on tax revenues collected by Israel, which it is withholding – amounting to $1.76 billion, as reported by a UN agency.
Israeli officials state they are retaining the funds because the PA makes payments to Palestinian prisoners that encourage attacks on Israelis. The authority – facing international pressure to make reforms – says it has recently changed its social welfare system.
A Modest Christmas Season
The bleak economic situation means that for many Palestinian Christians, even though there are currently public events as well as religious services, it will be an austere Christmas.
On the periphery of the square, a few customers are waiting to buy hot balls of falafel from a row of shops.
"We're preparing for Christmas after one of our most challenging times as Palestinians and as Christians," states one restaurant owner, who runs Afteem, a long-established family-run eatery which has seen its revenues collapse. He notes that recently many families could not even purchase falafel – a cheap, traditional snack.
"Christians will try to mark the occasion but based on their circumstances," Mr Salameh expects. "An individual wishing to bring their children to a festive event or the theatre or similar, he doesn't have the money to spend on these celebrations."
Hopes for Peace and Prosperity
Within the grotto at the base of the church, a resident follows a tour group from India, bending down by a silver star which marks the location where tradition states Jesus was born and lighting a candle nearby.
With tensions still high across the region, Bethlehem residents state they are praying for tranquility – and hoping for tourists to come back to the location which is thought to be Christmas began.