Bethlehem's Christmas Tree Lights Up for the First Time After the Start of the Gaza War
Throughout a two-year period during the conflict in Gaza, every festive public event for Christmas were cancelled in Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This city is believed to be where Christians believe the birth of Jesus occurred.
However, following the recent ceasefire, this sacred city determined that this year the festivities would return, as symbolised by the lighting of its customary, large holiday tree before the ancient Church of the Nativity.
"We have endured two difficult years of silence; no Christmas, no employment, no income," states the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives from tourism and tourism was down to zero."
The mayor accepts that the decision of resuming celebrations faced some controversy, given the ongoing hardship within Gaza – including for those in its small Christian population, many of whom have family ties to Bethlehem.
"Certain voices argue it is unsuitable while others contend it's appropriate," Mr Canawati explains. "But deep inside my heart, I felt that this was the right thing to do because the Christmas season must never be stopped or cancelled. This is a beacon of hope for us."
A Glimmer of Festivity Reappears
Residents – both Christians and Muslims – pose for selfies before the tree hung with red and gold baubles in Manger Square. They are joined by a handful of foreign tourists.
Brightly coloured lights now decorate the streets and there are signs advertising holiday markets and children's parties.
"We are delighted to see the tree, first thing, and to welcome visitors in Bethlehem and to be able to celebrate Christmas in its true spirit," says local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun.
"This place is where it all started, so this is where we can send a message to the world of what really Christmas should be about. And now, if Christmas is peaceful, I sincerely hope it will bring a nice message for the entire world."
Economic Hopes and Difficulties
Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to light holiday trees soon. Hotels – which have stood largely empty for the past two years – have an influx in reservations from Palestinian citizens of Israel along with certain international tourists.
A visitor from Russia, Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "In my view every person should visit at minimum one time during their lifetime," she says.
"I wish many visitors will soon come back as it is sorrowful without many tourists. The only thing that is positive is you don't have lengthy queues – one can visit and experience more. On my prior visit it was necessary to wait in a queue for a few hours minimum."
Currently, the gift shops dotted around the city have little business, and outside the pale walls of the Church of the Nativity, which date back to the Fourth Century, tour guides largely stand idle. Prior to the Gaza war, it was typically packed with people.
"This is a city for tourists; absent visitors there is no livelihood," expresses a guide named Hamza. "We aspire to have people coming back like before: from Europe, the Middle East, America, Latin American and all over. We start with the Christmas tree lighting, and then we will wait."
The Lingering Economic Impact
In the past two years, joblessness has soared in Bethlehem. Since the deadly Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel during October 2023 which triggered the war, many thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank region have been prevented from entering Israel and its settlements for work.
At the same time, public servants have received only partial 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 – amounting to $1.76 billion, according to a UN agency.
Israel says they are retaining these funds due to the fact that the Authority provides payments to Palestinian prisoners that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The PA – which has been under global pressure to enact reforms – claims it has recently changed its welfare system.
An Austere Christmas Season
The grim economic situation means that for numerous Palestinian Christians, even though there are currently public festivities in addition to religious services, it will be a subdued holiday season.
At the edge of Manger Square, some patrons 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 Palestinians and as Christians," states Alaa Salameh, an owner of Afteem, a long-established family restaurant that has witnessed its revenues collapse. He says that recently numerous families could not even afford falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food.
"The faithful will attempt to celebrate but based on their situation," Mr Salameh anticipates. "Someone who wants to take his kids to a festival or a show or similar, they lack the funds to spend for this celebration."
Prayers for Calm and Recovery
Within the grotto at the base of the Nativity Church, a local woman follows a small Indian tour group, stooping down by a silver star which marks the spot where it is said Jesus was born and igniting a light close by.
With tensions still high throughout the area, Bethlehem residents state they are hoping for peace – and wishing for tourists to come back to the location where it is believed Christmas began.
