The Christmas Tree Lighting Illuminates Once Again After the Outbreak of the Conflict

Throughout a two-year period during the Gaza war, all public celebrations marking the holiday season were cancelled in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This city is where the faithful hold Jesus was born.

However, following the recent ceasefire, the holy city decided that this year celebrations would make a comeback, as represented by the lighting of its customary, giant Christmas tree in front of the ancient Church of the Nativity.

"It's been two difficult years without celebration; no Christmas, no employment, no work," remarks the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives from tourism and tourism was down to nothing."

He accepts that the decision of resuming celebrations faced some debate, as suffering continues in Gaza – including for those in its small Christian population, many of whom have relatives in Bethlehem.

"Certain voices argue it is unsuitable and others say it's appropriate," the mayor notes. "However, in my heart, I believed that this was the right thing to take because the Christmas season should never be halted or abandoned. This is a beacon of hope for us."

A Glimmer of Festivity Returns

Residents – both Christians and Muslims – take photographs in front of the tree decorated with gold and red ornaments in Manger Square. They are accompanied by a handful of international visitors.

Vibrant lights now adorn city streets with signs promoting Christmas bazaars and festive events for children.

"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," says Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This place is where everything began, so this is where we can send a message to the world of what really Christmas should be about. And now, if the season is calm, then I hope it will deliver a nice 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 soon. 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, 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 without many tourists. The only thing that is positive is you don't have long lines – you can come and experience more. When I came before you had to wait in a queue for a few hours minimum."

For now, the souvenir stores scattered throughout Bethlehem experience scant trade, and near the pale walls of the Church of the Nativity, which originate from the Fourth Century, guides largely stand idle. Prior to the Gaza war, it was often crammed with visitors.

"This is a city for tourists; absent visitors there is no livelihood," expresses one guide Hamza. "We hope to have people returning like before: from Europe, the Middle Eastern region, the Americas, Latin America and everywhere. We start with lighting the tree, and then we will wait."

The Lingering Economic Toll

Over the last two years, joblessness has soared in Bethlehem. Since the deadly Hamas-led attacks in 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 for work.

Meanwhile, public servants have received only partial wages from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs areas within the West Bank. The Authority relies on tax income 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 due to the fact that the Authority provides financial payments to incarcerated Palestinians that encourage violence against Israelis. The PA – which has been under global pressure to make reforms – says it has recently changed its welfare system.

A Modest Christmas Season

The bleak economic outlook implies that for numerous Palestinian Christians, even though there are now public festivities in addition to religious services, it will constitute a subdued holiday season.

At the edge of the square, a few customers are waiting to purchase hot balls of falafel from a row of shops.

"We're preparing for Christmas after one of our hardest periods as a Palestinian people and as a Christian community," states Alaa Salameh, who runs a restaurant called Afteem, a decades-old family restaurant which has seen its income plummet. He notes that recently numerous families could not even purchase falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food.

"The faithful will attempt to mark the occasion but according to their situation," Mr Salameh anticipates. "An individual wishing to bring their children to a festival or the theatre or whatever, he doesn't have the funds to spend on these celebrations."

Hopes for Calm and Recovery

Within the grotto at the base of the church, a local woman follows a tour group from India, stooping down by a silver star that indicates the spot where it is said 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 wishing for tourists to come back to the location which is thought to be Christmas began.