The Holiday Tree Lighting Lights Up for the First Time Since the Start of the Gaza War

For two years amid the conflict in Gaza, every festive public event for Christmas were cancelled within the city of Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This place is where the faithful hold the birth of Jesus occurred.

But, following the recent ceasefire, this sacred city decided that this year celebrations would return, as symbolised by the lighting of its customary, large holiday tree in front of the historic Nativity Church.

"We have endured two difficult years without celebration; no Christmas, no jobs, no income," states Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here on tourism and the tourist trade was down to nothing."

The mayor acknowledges that the decision to restart festivities faced some controversy, given the ongoing hardship 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's appropriate," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I felt this constituted the right thing to do since the Christmas season should never be halted or abandoned. This represents the light of hope for our community."

A Spark of Celebration Reappears

Residents – both Christians and Muslims – take photographs before the tree hung with red and gold baubles at Manger Square. They are accompanied by a small number of international visitors.

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

"We're very happy to have the tree, first of all, and to welcome visitors in Bethlehem and to have the chance to observe the holiday in its true spirit," comments Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This is where everything began, so this is where we can convey a message to the world about what really Christmas represents. And now, if the season is calm, I sincerely hope it will bring a nice message for the entire world."

Economic Prospects and Difficulties

The neighbouring towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to light holiday trees soon. Local hotels – which have remained mostly vacant for the past two years – are seeing a rise in reservations from Arab citizens of Israel as well as certain international tourists.

One tourist from Russia, named Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "In my view everyone needs to come at minimum one time in their life," she states.

"I hope many visitors will return soon as it is sorrowful without many tourists. The only thing that is positive is there are no lengthy queues – you can come and see more things. When I came before you had to wait in line for hours at least."

For now, the gift shops scattered throughout the city have little business, and outside the cream-coloured walls of the Nativity Church, which originate from the 4th century, guides largely stand idle. Before the Gaza war, it was typically packed with people.

"This is a city for tourists; without tourism there is no life," expresses a guide named Hamza. "We aspire to have people coming back like before: from European nations, the Middle East, the Americas, Latin American and everywhere. We start with lighting the tree, and we'll wait."

The Persistent Economic Toll

Over the last two years, joblessness has soared in Bethlehem. Since the deadly attacks led by Hamas in southern Israel in October 2023 which triggered the conflict, tens of thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank region have been blocked from entering Israel and Israeli settlements for work.

Meanwhile, public servants have been paid only partial wages by 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, according to the UN's trade and development agency.

Israel says it is holding the funds due to the fact that the PA makes payments to Palestinian prisoners that encourage attacks on Israelis. The PA – which has been under international pressure to enact reforms – claims it has recently changed its welfare system.

An Austere Christmas Season

The bleak economic outlook means that for numerous Palestinian Christians, even though there are now public events in addition to religious services, it will be a subdued holiday season.

At the edge of Manger Square, a few customers wait to purchase sizzling 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 Alaa Salameh, an owner of a restaurant called Afteem, a long-established family-run eatery that has witnessed its revenues collapse. He says lately numerous families could not even purchase falafel – a cheap, traditional snack.

"Christians will try to celebrate but based on their circumstances," Mr Salameh expects. "Someone who wants to bring their children to a festive event or the theatre or whatever, they lack the funds to expend for this celebration."

Hopes 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 location where tradition states that Jesus was born and igniting a candle close by.

Amid ongoing high tensions throughout the area, people in Bethlehem say they are praying for tranquility – and hoping for tourists to come back to the location where it is believed Christmas began.