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

For two years during the Gaza war, all public celebrations marking the holiday season were called off in Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This city is where the faithful hold the birth of Jesus occurred.

However, after the recent ceasefire, the holy city determined that now celebrations would return, as symbolised by the lighting of its traditional, giant Christmas tree in front of the historic Nativity Church.

"It's been a bad two years of silence; no holiday, no employment, no income," remarks Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here from tourism and tourism had fallen to zero."

The mayor acknowledges that the decision to restart festivities faced some controversy, as suffering continues within Gaza – which affects members of the small Christian population, who often have family ties in Bethlehem.

"Certain voices argue it's not appropriate while others contend it's appropriate," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I believed this constituted the correct action to take because the Christmas season must never be halted or abandoned. This is a beacon of hope for our community."

A Glimmer of Celebration Reappears

Residents – both Christians and Muslims – pose for selfies in front of the tree decorated with gold and red ornaments in Manger Square. They are accompanied by a small number of international visitors.

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

"We're very happy to see the tree, first of all, and to welcome visitors to Bethlehem and to have the chance to celebrate Christmas in its true spirit," says local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This is where everything began, therefore here is where we can convey the message to the world of what really Christmas represents. And this year, if the season is calm, I sincerely hope it will bring a positive message for the whole world."

Economic Prospects and Difficulties

Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to light Christmas trees soon. Hotels – which have remained largely empty for the past two years – are seeing a rise in reservations from Palestinian citizens of Israel along with certain international tourists.

A visitor from Russia, named Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to this region. "In my view everyone needs to come at minimum one time in their life," she says.

"I wish many visitors will return soon because it's sad without many tourists. The only thing that is positive is that you don't have long lines – one can visit and experience more. When I came before you had to wait in a queue for a few hours at least."

For now, the gift shops dotted around Bethlehem have little business, and outside the cream-coloured walls of the Nativity Church, which originate from the 4th century, tour guides are mostly unoccupied. Before the conflict, it was often crammed with people.

"Bethlehem is a city for tourists; without tourism there is no livelihood," expresses a guide named Hamza. "We hope to have people returning like before: from European nations, the Middle Eastern region, America, Latin American and everywhere. We begin with lighting the tree, and we'll wait."

The Persistent Economic Impact

In the past two years, joblessness has soared within Bethlehem. Following the lethal Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel in October 2023 which triggered the conflict, many thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank region have been prevented from entering Israel and Israeli settlements to work.

Meanwhile, public servants have been paid just a portion of their wages by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs parts of the West Bank. The Authority relies on tax revenues collected by Israel, which it is currently holding – to the tune of $1.76 billion, as reported by the UN's trade and development agency.

Israel says it is holding these funds due to the fact that the PA makes financial payments to Palestinian prisoners that encourage attacks on Israelis. The PA – which has been under international pressure to make reforms – says it has lately modified its social welfare system.

An Austere Christmas Season

The grim economic situation implies that for numerous Palestinian Christians, even though there are currently public festivities as well as religious services, it will constitute an austere Christmas.

On the periphery of the square, some patrons are waiting to purchase sizzling balls of falafel from several shops.

"We're preparing for the holiday following one of our hardest periods as Palestinians and as a Christian community," states one restaurant owner, who runs a restaurant called Afteem, a long-established family restaurant which has seen its revenues collapse. He says lately numerous families could not even purchase falafel – an inexpensive, traditional snack.

"The faithful will attempt to celebrate but according to their circumstances," Mr Salameh anticipates. "An individual wishing to bring their children to a festival or the theatre or whatever, they lack the funds to expend for this celebration."

Prayers for Peace and Prosperity

Within the grotto at the base of the church, a local woman follows a tour group from India, bending down by a silver star which marks the spot where tradition states that Jesus was born and igniting a candle nearby.

With tensions still high across the region, people in Bethlehem state they are hoping for peace – and hoping for visitors to return to the place which is thought to be where Christmas started.