The Holiday Tree Illuminates for the First Time Since the Start of the Conflict

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

However, following a recent truce, this sacred city decided that this year celebrations would return, as symbolised by the illumination of its traditional, large holiday tree in front of the ancient Church of the Nativity.

"We have endured two difficult years without celebration; no Christmas, no employment, no work," states Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here from tourism and the tourist trade was down to zero."

He accepts that the decision to restart festivities was not without controversy, given the ongoing hardship within Gaza – including for members of the small Christian population, many of whom have relatives in Bethlehem.

"Some may say it's not appropriate while others contend it is fitting," the mayor notes. "But deep inside my heart, I believed this constituted the right thing to do since the Christmas season must never be stopped or cancelled. This represents the light of hope for us."

A Glimmer of Festivity Returns

Locals – 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.

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

"We're very happy to have the tree, first of all, and to welcome visitors in Bethlehem and to be able to observe the holiday in its true spirit," comments local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This is where it all started, so this is where we can convey a message globally of what really Christmas represents. And now, if the season is calm, I sincerely hope it will bring a positive message for the entire world."

Economic Prospects and Challenges

Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to illuminate Christmas trees in the coming days. Hotels – which have stood mostly vacant for two years – have an influx in reservations from Arab citizens of Israel along with some foreign visitors.

A visitor from Russia, named Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "In my view everyone needs to come at minimum one time in their life," she states.

"I wish a lot of people will return soon because it's sad with few tourists. The only thing that is positive is that you don't have lengthy queues – you can come and experience more. On my prior visit you had to wait in line for a few hours at least."

For now, the souvenir stores dotted around Bethlehem experience scant trade, and near the pale walls of the Church of the Nativity, which originate from the 4th century, guides largely stand idle. Prior to the Gaza war, it was typically packed with visitors.

"This is a tourist city; without tourism there is no livelihood," laments one guide Hamza. "We aspire to see individuals coming back like before: from Europe, the Middle Eastern region, America, Latin America and everywhere. We start with lighting the tree, and we'll wait."

The Persistent Economic Toll

In the past two years, joblessness has soared in Bethlehem. Since the lethal 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 Israeli settlements to work.

At the same time, public servants have been paid only partial salaries from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs areas within the West Bank. The PA relies on tax revenues gathered by Israel, which it is currently holding – amounting to 1.76 billion dollars, as reported by a UN agency.

Israel says it is holding these funds due to the fact that the Authority provides payments to incarcerated Palestinians that incentivise violence against Israelis. The authority – which has been under global pressure to make reforms – says it has lately modified its social welfare system.

A Modest Christmas Season

The bleak economic situation implies that for many Palestinian Christians, even though there are now public festivities as well as religious ceremonies, 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 are getting ready for the holiday after one of our hardest periods as a Palestinian people and as a Christian community," says one restaurant owner, who runs Afteem, a decades-old family restaurant that has witnessed its income plummet. He says lately numerous families could not even purchase falafel – a cheap, traditional food.

"The faithful will attempt to mark the occasion but according to their circumstances," Mr Salameh expects. "Someone who wants to bring their children to a festive event or the theatre or similar, they lack the funds to spend for this celebration."

Hopes for Peace and Prosperity

Within the grotto beneath the church, a local woman accompanies a tour group from India, stooping down near a silver star that indicates the spot where it is said Jesus was born and igniting a light nearby.

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