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

For two years amid the Gaza war, all public celebrations for Christmas were cancelled in Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This place is where the faithful hold Jesus was born.

However, after a recent truce, this sacred city determined that now celebrations would make a comeback, as represented by the illumination of its customary, large holiday tree in front of the ancient Church of the Nativity.

"It's been two difficult years without celebration; no Christmas, no jobs, no income," states the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here on tourism and tourism was down to zero."

He acknowledges that the decision of resuming celebrations was not without debate, given the ongoing hardship within Gaza – which affects those in its tiny Christian community, many of whom have family ties in Bethlehem.

"Some may say it is unsuitable and others say it is fitting," the mayor notes. "However, in my heart, I felt that this was the right thing to do since the Christmas season should never be stopped or cancelled. This represents the light of hope for us."

A Spark of Festivity Returns

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

Vibrant 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 of all, and to see foreigners to Bethlehem and to have the chance to observe the holiday in its true spirit," says local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This is where everything began, so this is where we can send the message to the world of what Christmas truly should be about. And now, if the season is calm, I sincerely 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 holiday trees in the coming days. Hotels – which have remained largely empty for the past two years – are seeing a rise of bookings from Arab citizens of Israel as well as certain international tourists.

One tourist from Russia, Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "I think every person should visit at least once in their life," she states.

"I wish many visitors will soon come back because it's sad with few tourists. The sole aspect that is positive is that there are no lengthy queues – you can come and see more things. On my prior visit you had to wait in a queue for a few hours minimum."

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

"Bethlehem is a city for tourists; without tourism there is no life," expresses a guide named Hamza. "We aspire to see individuals coming back like before: from European nations, the Middle Eastern region, America, Latin America and all over. 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. Following the deadly Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel during October 2023 that sparked the war, tens of thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank region have been blocked from entering Israel and Israeli settlements for work.

At the same time, public servants have been paid only partial wages by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs areas within the West Bank. The Authority relies on tax income collected by Israel, which it is withholding – to the tune of 1.76 billion dollars, as reported by a UN agency.

Israeli officials state they are retaining the funds due to the fact that the Authority provides financial payments to incarcerated Palestinians that incentivise violence against Israelis. The authority – which has been under global pressure to enact reforms – says it has lately modified its welfare system.

A Modest Holiday

The grim economic outlook implies that for many Christian Palestinians, even though there are currently public events as well as religious ceremonies, it will constitute a subdued holiday season.

At the edge of the square, a few customers wait to buy hot balls of falafel from a row of shops.

"We're preparing for the holiday following one of our hardest periods as Palestinians and as Christians," says one restaurant owner, who runs Afteem, a decades-old family-run eatery which has seen its revenues collapse. He says that recently many families could not even afford falafel – a cheap, traditional snack.

"The faithful will attempt to celebrate but according to their situation," Mr Salameh anticipates. "Someone who wants to take his kids to a festive event or the theatre or similar, he doesn't have the funds to expend on these celebrations."

Hopes for Peace and Prosperity

In the cave-like grotto beneath the Nativity Church, a resident accompanies a small Indian tour group, stooping down near a silver star which marks the spot where tradition states that Jesus was born and lighting a candle nearby.

With tensions still high throughout the area, Bethlehem residents state they are hoping for peace – and hoping for visitors to return to the location where it is believed Christmas began.