The Holiday Tree Lighting Lights Up for the First Time After the Outbreak of the Gaza War

For two years during the conflict in Gaza, all public celebrations marking the holiday season were cancelled within the city of Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This place is believed to be where Christians believe the birth of Jesus occurred.

However, after the recent ceasefire, the holy city determined that this year the festivities would return, as symbolised by the illumination of its customary, large holiday tree in front of the historic Nativity Church.

"It's been two difficult years without celebration; no holiday, no employment, no income," remarks the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives from tourism and the tourist trade was down to zero."

The mayor accepts that the decision to restart festivities faced some debate, as suffering continues within Gaza – which affects members of the small Christian population, many of whom have relatives to Bethlehem.

"Some may say it is unsuitable while others contend it's appropriate," the mayor notes. "But deep inside my heart, I felt that this was the correct action to do because Christmas should never be halted or abandoned. This is the light of hope for our community."

A Glimmer of Festivity Returns

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 small number of foreign tourists.

Vibrant lights now decorate the streets and there are signs advertising holiday markets and festive events for children.

"We are delighted to see the tree, first thing, and to see foreigners to Bethlehem and to have the chance to observe the holiday in its authentic 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 Prospects and Challenges

The neighbouring towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to light holiday trees soon. Local hotels – which have stood mostly vacant for the past two years – have an influx of bookings from Arab citizens of Israel as well as some foreign visitors.

One tourist from Russia, Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to this region. "In my view everyone needs to come 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 sole aspect that's good is that there are no lengthy queues – you can come and see more things. On my prior visit you had to wait in a queue for a few hours minimum."

Currently, the souvenir stores scattered throughout the city have little business, and near the cream-coloured walls of the Church of the Nativity, which originate from the 4th century, tour guides are mostly unoccupied. Before the conflict, it was often crammed with visitors.

"This is a tourist city; absent visitors there is no livelihood," expresses a guide named Hamza. "We aspire to see individuals returning like before: from European nations, the Middle Eastern region, the Americas, Latin America and all over. We begin with lighting the tree, and then we will wait."

The Persistent Economic Impact

In the past two years, joblessness has soared in Bethlehem. Since the deadly Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the war, tens of thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank region have been prevented from entering Israel and its settlements to work.

At the same time, government employees have been paid just a portion of their salaries by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs areas within the West Bank. The Authority depends on tax income collected by Israel, which it is withholding – to the tune of 1.76 billion dollars, as reported by the UN's trade and development agency.

Israeli officials state 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 – claims it has recently changed its social welfare system.

An Austere Holiday

The bleak economic outlook means that for many Christian Palestinians, even though there are currently public festivities in addition to religious services, it will be a subdued holiday season.

At the edge of the square, some patrons wait to buy hot balls of falafel from several shops.

"We are getting ready for Christmas following one of our most challenging times as Palestinians and as a Christian community," says one restaurant owner, an owner of a restaurant called Afteem, a long-established family restaurant which has seen its revenues collapse. He notes lately many families could not even afford falafel – a cheap, traditional snack.

"Christians will try to celebrate but according to their circumstances," Mr Salameh expects. "An individual wishing to bring their children to a festival or the theatre or similar, they lack the funds to expend for this celebration."

Hopes for Peace and Prosperity

In the cave-like grotto beneath the Nativity Church, a resident follows a tour group from India, bending down by a silver star which marks the location where it is said Jesus was born and lighting 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 place where it is believed where Christmas started.