The Christmas Tree Lighting Illuminates for the First Time Since the Outbreak of the Gaza War

For two years during the Gaza war, all public celebrations for Christmas were called off within the city of Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This city is believed to be where Christians believe the birth of Jesus occurred.

However, following a recent truce, this sacred city determined that this year the festivities would return, as represented by the illumination of its customary, giant Christmas tree before the ancient Church of the Nativity.

"We have endured two difficult years without celebration; no Christmas, no jobs, no income," remarks the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here on tourism and tourism was down to nothing."

He acknowledges that the idea to restart festivities was not without debate, given the ongoing hardship in Gaza – including for those in its small Christian population, many of whom have family ties to Bethlehem.

"Certain voices argue it is unsuitable and others say it's appropriate," the mayor notes. "However, in my heart, I believed this constituted the correct action to do since Christmas must never be stopped or cancelled. This represents the light of hope for us."

A Spark of Celebration Returns

Residents – both Christians and Muslims – take photographs before the tree decorated with gold and red ornaments at Manger Square. They are accompanied by a handful of foreign tourists.

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

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

"This is where everything began, therefore here is where we can convey the message to the world 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 Hopes and Challenges

Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to light holiday trees soon. Local hotels – which have remained largely empty for two years – have an influx in reservations from Arab citizens of Israel along with some foreign visitors.

One tourist from Russia, Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to this region. "I think every person should visit at least once during their lifetime," she says.

"I wish a lot of people will return soon because it's sad with few 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 you had to wait in line for hours at least."

For now, the souvenir stores scattered throughout Bethlehem have little business, and outside the cream-coloured walls of the Nativity Church, which date back to the Fourth Century, tour guides are mostly unoccupied. Before the Gaza war, it was typically packed with visitors.

"Bethlehem is a tourist city; without tourism 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, the Americas, Latin American and everywhere. We begin with lighting the tree, and then we will wait."

The Lingering Economic Impact

In the past two years, joblessness has soared within Bethlehem. Since the deadly attacks led by Hamas in southern Israel in October 2023 which triggered the conflict, tens of thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank have been prevented from entering Israel and its settlements to work.

Meanwhile, government employees have been paid just a portion of their wages from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs parts of the West Bank. The PA relies on tax revenues gathered by Israel, which it is withholding – amounting to 1.76 billion dollars, according to the UN's trade and development agency.

Israeli officials state it is holding these funds because the Authority provides payments to Palestinian prisoners that encourage violence against Israelis. The PA – which has been under global pressure to enact reforms – claims it has recently changed its social welfare system.

A Modest Christmas Season

The grim economic situation implies that for numerous Christian Palestinians, despite the fact that there are now public events as well as religious ceremonies, it will constitute an austere Christmas.

On the periphery of Manger Square, a few customers wait to purchase hot balls of falafel from a row of shops.

"We are getting ready for Christmas following one of our hardest periods as Palestinians and as Christians," says Alaa Salameh, who runs a restaurant called Afteem, a long-established family restaurant that has witnessed its income plummet. He says lately many families could not even afford falafel – an inexpensive, traditional snack.

"The faithful will attempt to mark the occasion but based on their circumstances," Mr Salameh anticipates. "An individual wishing to bring their children to a festive event or the theatre or similar, he doesn't have the money to spend for this celebration."

Prayers for Calm and Recovery

In the cave-like grotto beneath the Nativity Church, a local woman follows a tour group from India, stooping down near a silver star which marks the spot where tradition states Jesus was born and igniting a candle nearby.

With tensions still high across the region, Bethlehem residents state they are praying for tranquility – and wishing for visitors to return to the location which is thought to be where Christmas started.