The Holiday Tree Lighting Lights Up Once Again Since the Start of the Gaza War

For two years during the Gaza war, all public celebrations for Christmas were cancelled within the city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This city is believed to be where the faithful hold the birth of Jesus occurred.

But, after the recent ceasefire, the holy city determined that now the festivities would return, as represented by the illumination of its traditional, giant Christmas tree in front of the historic Nativity Church.

"We have endured two difficult years of silence; no holiday, no jobs, no income," states Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here from tourism and the tourist trade was down to zero."

He acknowledges that the decision of resuming celebrations was not without debate, given the ongoing hardship within Gaza – including for members of the tiny Christian community, who often have family ties in Bethlehem.

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

A Glimmer of Celebration Reappears

Residents – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – pose for selfies before the tree hung with gold and red ornaments in Manger Square. They are joined by a handful of foreign tourists.

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

"We are delighted to have the tree, first thing, and to see foreigners to Bethlehem and to have the chance to observe the holiday in its true spirit," says local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This place is where it all started, so this is where we can convey the message globally of what really Christmas should be about. And now, if Christmas is peaceful, then I hope it will deliver a positive message for the whole world."

Economic Prospects and Challenges

Nearby towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to illuminate holiday trees soon. Local hotels – which have remained mostly vacant for the past two years – have an influx in reservations from Palestinian citizens of Israel as well as certain international tourists.

One tourist from Russia, named Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "I think every person should visit at least once in their life," she says.

"I hope a lot of people will return soon because it's sad without many tourists. The sole aspect that is positive is that there are no lengthy queues – one can visit and experience more. On my prior visit it was necessary to wait in line for a few hours at least."

Currently, the souvenir stores dotted around Bethlehem have little business, and near the cream-coloured walls of the Nativity Church, which date back to the 4th century, guides are mostly unoccupied. Before the Gaza war, it was typically packed with people.

"This is a tourist city; absent visitors there is no livelihood," expresses one guide Hamza. "We hope 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 then we will wait."

The Lingering Economic Toll

In the past two years, unemployment has skyrocketed within Bethlehem. Following the deadly attacks led by Hamas on southern Israel during October 2023 that sparked the war, tens of thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank region have been blocked from entering Israel and Israeli settlements to work.

Meanwhile, government employees have received only partial wages by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs areas within the West Bank. The PA depends on tax income gathered by Israel, which it is currently holding – amounting to 1.76 billion dollars, according to a UN agency.

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

A Modest Holiday

The bleak economic outlook implies that for many Palestinian Christians, even though there are now public events as well as religious ceremonies, it will constitute a subdued holiday season.

On the periphery of Manger Square, some patrons are waiting to buy hot balls of falafel from a row of shops.

"We are getting ready for the holiday after one of our most challenging times as a Palestinian people and as Christians," says one restaurant owner, an owner of Afteem, a long-established family restaurant that has witnessed its revenues collapse. He says that recently numerous families could not even purchase falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food.

"The faithful will attempt to mark the occasion but according to their situation," Mr Salameh anticipates. "Someone who wants to bring their children to a festival or a show or similar, he doesn't have the funds to expend for this celebration."

Prayers for Calm and Recovery

Within the grotto at the base of the Nativity Church, a local woman follows a tour group from India, bending down by a silver star which marks the spot where it is said that Jesus was born and igniting a light nearby.

Amid ongoing high tensions throughout the area, Bethlehem residents say they are hoping for tranquility – and hoping for tourists to come back to the location which is thought to be Christmas began.