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

Throughout a two-year period during the Gaza war, every festive public event for Christmas were cancelled in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This city is where the faithful hold Jesus was born.

However, following a recent truce, this sacred city decided that now the festivities would make a comeback, as symbolised by the illumination of its traditional, giant Christmas tree in front of the ancient Church of the Nativity.

"It's been a bad two years of silence; no Christmas, no jobs, no income," remarks Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives from tourism and tourism had fallen to zero."

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

"Certain voices argue it is unsuitable while others contend it's appropriate," Mr Canawati explains. "But deep inside my heart, I believed that this was the correct action to do since Christmas must never be stopped or cancelled. This is a beacon of hope for our community."

A Glimmer of Festivity Reappears

Residents – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – take photographs in front of the tree decorated with red and gold baubles at Manger Square. They are joined by a handful of foreign tourists.

Vibrant lights now adorn the streets and there are signs advertising holiday markets and children's parties.

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

"This place is where everything began, therefore here is where we can convey a message to the world of what really Christmas should be about. And now, if Christmas is peaceful, then I hope it will bring a positive message for the entire world."

Economic Prospects and Challenges

The neighbouring towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to illuminate holiday trees in the coming days. Local hotels – which have remained largely empty for the past two years – have an influx of bookings from Arab citizens of Israel as well as certain international tourists.

A visitor from Russia, named Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "I think everyone needs to come at least once during their lifetime," she states.

"I hope many visitors will soon come back because it's sad without many tourists. The sole aspect that is positive 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 a few hours at least."

Currently, the souvenir stores dotted around the city have little business, and near the pale walls of the Nativity Church, which date back to the 4th century, guides are mostly unoccupied. Before the Gaza war, it was often crammed with people.

"This 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 Europe, the Middle Eastern region, the Americas, Latin America and everywhere. We begin with lighting the tree, and we'll wait."

The Persistent Economic Toll

Over the last two years, unemployment has skyrocketed in Bethlehem. Since the lethal Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel in October 2023 which triggered the war, many thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank have been blocked from entering Israel and its settlements to work.

Meanwhile, public servants 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 income collected by Israel, which it is currently holding – to the tune of 1.76 billion dollars, as reported by the UN's trade and development agency.

Israeli officials state it is holding these funds because the PA makes payments to Palestinian prisoners that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The PA – facing global pressure to make reforms – claims it has recently changed its social welfare system.

A Modest Christmas Season

The bleak economic outlook implies that for numerous Palestinian Christians, despite the fact that there are currently public festivities as well as religious services, it will constitute a subdued holiday season.

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

"We're preparing for the holiday following one of our hardest periods as a Palestinian people and as a Christian community," says one restaurant owner, who runs a restaurant called Afteem, a decades-old family-run eatery which has seen its revenues collapse. He notes lately numerous families could not even afford falafel – an inexpensive, traditional snack.

"The faithful will attempt to mark the occasion but based on their situation," Mr Salameh anticipates. "Someone who wants to take his kids to a festival or the theatre or whatever, he doesn't have the money to spend on these celebrations."

Prayers for Peace and Prosperity

In the cave-like grotto at the base of the church, a local woman follows a tour group from India, stooping down near a silver star which marks the spot where it is said that Jesus was born and lighting a light nearby.

With tensions still high throughout the area, people in Bethlehem say they are praying for tranquility – and hoping for tourists to come back to the location which is thought to be where Christmas started.