Bethlehem's Christmas Tree Lighting Illuminates for the First Time After the Outbreak of the Conflict

For two years amid the Gaza war, every festive public event for Christmas were called off in Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This place is believed to be where Christians believe the birth of Jesus occurred.

But, after a recent truce, the holy city decided that now celebrations would make a comeback, as represented 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 holiday, no jobs, no work," remarks the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives from tourism and the tourist trade was down to nothing."

The mayor acknowledges that the idea of resuming celebrations faced some debate, as suffering continues in Gaza – including for members of the small Christian population, who often have relatives to Bethlehem.

"Certain voices argue it is unsuitable and others say it is fitting," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I believed that this was the right thing to take since the Christmas season should never be halted or abandoned. This is a beacon of hope for our community."

A Spark of Festivity Returns

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

Brightly coloured lights now adorn city streets with signs advertising Christmas bazaars and festive events for children.

"We are delighted to have the tree, first of all, and to see foreigners to Bethlehem and to be able to celebrate Christmas in its true spirit," comments local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This is where it all started, therefore here is where we can send a message globally about what really Christmas should be about. And this year, if the season is calm, I sincerely hope it will bring a nice message for the whole world."

Economic Hopes and Difficulties

The neighbouring towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to illuminate holiday trees in the coming days. Local hotels – which have stood mostly vacant for the past two years – have an influx of bookings from Arab citizens of Israel along with certain international tourists.

A visitor from Russia, Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to this region. "I think every person should visit at minimum one time in their life," she states.

"I hope many visitors will soon come back as it is sorrowful without many tourists. The sole aspect that's good is that you don't have lengthy queues – you can come and experience more. On my prior visit you had to wait in a queue for a few hours minimum."

For now, the souvenir stores scattered throughout Bethlehem experience scant trade, and outside the cream-coloured walls of the Nativity Church, which date back to the 4th century, tour guides are mostly unoccupied. Prior to the conflict, it was often crammed with visitors.

"Bethlehem is a tourist city; absent visitors there is no livelihood," laments one guide Hamza. "We hope to see individuals coming back like before: from European nations, the Middle East, America, Latin America and everywhere. We begin with the Christmas tree lighting, and we'll wait."

The Lingering Economic Toll

In the past two years, joblessness has soared within Bethlehem. Since the lethal Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel during October 2023 which triggered the conflict, tens of thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank region have been blocked from entering Israel and its settlements for work.

Meanwhile, public servants have been paid only partial wages from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs areas within the West Bank. The PA relies on tax income gathered by Israel, which it is withholding – to the tune of $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 Palestinian prisoners that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The authority – facing global pressure to make reforms – claims it has recently changed its social welfare system.

An Austere Christmas Season

The grim economic outlook means that for numerous Christian Palestinians, despite the fact that there are now public festivities in addition to religious services, it will be a subdued holiday season.

On the periphery of Manger Square, a few customers wait to buy sizzling balls of falafel from a row of shops.

"We are getting ready for Christmas after one of our most challenging times as a Palestinian people and as Christians," states one restaurant owner, who runs a restaurant called Afteem, a long-established family restaurant that has witnessed its income plummet. He notes that recently many families could not even purchase falafel – a cheap, traditional snack.

"Christians will try to celebrate but based on their situation," Mr Salameh expects. "An individual wishing to take his kids to a festive event or the theatre or whatever, he doesn't have the funds to spend on these celebrations."

Prayers for Peace and Prosperity

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

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