The Holiday Tree Lighting Illuminates for the First Time After the Start of the Conflict

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 the faithful hold Jesus was born.

However, following a recent truce, the holy city decided that this year celebrations would return, as represented by the lighting of its customary, giant Christmas tree before the ancient Church of the Nativity.

"It's been two difficult years of silence; no holiday, no jobs, no work," states Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here on tourism and tourism was down to zero."

The mayor accepts that the idea to restart festivities faced some debate, given the ongoing hardship within Gaza – which affects members of the small Christian population, many of whom have family ties to Bethlehem.

"Some may say it's not appropriate and others say it is fitting," Mr Canawati explains. "But deep inside my heart, I felt this constituted the correct action to take because Christmas must never be stopped or cancelled. This represents the light of hope for us."

A Spark of Celebration Reappears

Residents – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – pose for selfies in front of the tree decorated with red and gold baubles at Manger Square. They are accompanied by a handful of foreign tourists.

Vibrant lights now adorn city streets with signs advertising holiday markets and children's parties.

"We are delighted to have the tree, first thing, and to welcome visitors in Bethlehem and to have the chance to celebrate Christmas in its authentic spirit," says Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This place is where everything began, so this is where we can convey the message globally of what Christmas truly should be about. And this year, if Christmas is peaceful, I sincerely hope it will deliver a nice message for the whole world."

Economic Prospects and Difficulties

Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to light Christmas trees soon. Local hotels – which have stood largely empty for two years – have an influx in reservations from Palestinian citizens of Israel as well as certain international tourists.

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

"I hope a lot of people will soon come back as it is sorrowful with few tourists. The only thing that's good is there are no long lines – you can come and experience more. On my prior visit it was necessary to wait in a queue for hours at least."

For now, the souvenir stores scattered throughout the city experience scant trade, and outside the cream-coloured walls of the Nativity Church, which date back to the 4th century, tour guides largely stand idle. Before the Gaza war, it was typically packed with visitors.

"Bethlehem is a city for tourists; without tourism there is no livelihood," laments a guide named Hamza. "We aspire to see individuals coming back like before: from Europe, the Middle East, America, Latin America and all over. We start with the Christmas tree lighting, and then we will wait."

The Persistent Economic Impact

Over the last two years, joblessness has soared within Bethlehem. Following the deadly attacks led by Hamas on southern Israel during October 2023 that sparked the conflict, many thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank region have been blocked from entering Israel and its settlements to work.

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

Israeli officials state they are retaining these funds because the Authority provides payments to Palestinian prisoners that encourage attacks on Israelis. The authority – which has been under global pressure to enact reforms – claims it has recently changed its welfare system.

A Modest Holiday

The bleak economic outlook means that for numerous Christian Palestinians, even though there are now public events as well as religious ceremonies, it will be an austere Christmas.

At the edge of Manger Square, some patrons are waiting to purchase hot balls of falafel from a row of shops.

"We are getting ready for Christmas following one of our most challenging times as Palestinians and as Christians," states one restaurant owner, who runs a restaurant called Afteem, a long-established family-run eatery that has witnessed its income plummet. He says that recently many families could not even purchase falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food.

"The faithful will attempt to celebrate but based on their situation," Mr Salameh expects. "An individual wishing to take his kids to a festival or a show or similar, he doesn't have the funds to spend on these celebrations."

Prayers for Calm and Recovery

Within the grotto at the base of the church, a resident accompanies a small Indian tour group, stooping down near a silver star that indicates the spot where tradition states Jesus was born and igniting a light nearby.

Amid ongoing high tensions throughout the area, people in Bethlehem state they are hoping for peace – and hoping for visitors to return to the location where it is believed where Christmas started.