The Holiday Tree Lighting Illuminates Once Again After the Outbreak of the Gaza War

Throughout a two-year period during the Gaza war, all public celebrations for Christmas were called off in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This city is where Christians believe the birth of Jesus occurred.

But, following a recent truce, this sacred city decided that now the festivities would return, as symbolised by the lighting of its traditional, giant Christmas tree before the historic Nativity Church.

"We have endured a bad two years of silence; no Christmas, no jobs, no income," remarks the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here on tourism and the tourist trade was down to zero."

The mayor accepts that the decision to restart festivities was not without debate, as suffering continues within Gaza – including for members of the tiny Christian community, who often have relatives in Bethlehem.

"Some may say it is unsuitable and others say it's appropriate," the mayor notes. "But deep inside my heart, I believed this constituted the right thing to take since the Christmas season should never be halted or abandoned. This is the light of hope for our community."

A Glimmer of Festivity Returns

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

Brightly coloured lights now adorn city streets and there are signs advertising holiday markets and festive events for children.

"We are delighted to have the tree, first thing, and to welcome visitors to Bethlehem and to be able to observe the holiday in its true spirit," comments Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This is where it all started, therefore here is where we can send the message globally about what really Christmas represents. And this year, if Christmas is peaceful, then I hope it will deliver a positive message for the entire world."

Economic Prospects and Difficulties

Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to illuminate Christmas 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 certain international tourists.

One tourist from Russia, named Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "In my view everyone needs to come at minimum one time in their life," she states.

"I hope many visitors will soon come back because it's sad without many tourists. The sole aspect that's good is that there are no long lines – one can visit and experience more. On my prior visit it was necessary to wait in a queue for hours at least."

For now, the gift shops scattered throughout Bethlehem experience scant trade, and outside the cream-coloured walls of the Nativity Church, which date back to the 4th century, tour guides largely stand idle. Prior to the Gaza war, it was typically packed with people.

"This is a tourist city; without tourism there is no livelihood," laments a guide named Hamza. "We hope to see individuals returning as in the past: from Europe, the Middle Eastern region, the Americas, Latin American and all over. We begin with lighting the tree, and we'll wait."

The Lingering Economic Toll

In the past two years, unemployment has skyrocketed within Bethlehem. Since the deadly attacks led by Hamas on southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the conflict, many thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank have been blocked from entering Israel and Israeli settlements to work.

At the same time, public servants have received just a portion of their wages from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers areas within the West Bank. The Authority relies on tax income gathered by Israel, which it is withholding – amounting to 1.76 billion dollars, as reported by the UN's trade and development agency.

Israel says it is holding these funds due to the fact that the PA makes financial payments to Palestinian prisoners that encourage attacks on Israelis. The PA – facing international pressure to make reforms – says it has recently changed its social welfare system.

An Austere Holiday

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

On the periphery of Manger Square, a few customers are waiting to purchase sizzling 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 Alaa Salameh, who runs a restaurant called Afteem, a long-established family-run eatery that has witnessed its income plummet. He says lately numerous families could not even afford falafel – a cheap, traditional snack.

"The faithful will attempt to mark the occasion but based on their circumstances," Mr Salameh expects. "An individual wishing to take his kids to a festive event or a show or whatever, they lack the money to spend for this celebration."

Hopes for Calm and Recovery

Within the grotto at the base of the Nativity Church, a resident accompanies a tour group from India, bending down near a silver star which marks the location where it is said that Jesus was born and igniting a candle close by.

Amid ongoing high tensions throughout the area, Bethlehem residents say they are praying for peace – and wishing for tourists to come back to the place where it is believed Christmas began.