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

For two years amid the conflict in Gaza, every festive public event 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, following a recent truce, the holy city decided that this year the festivities would make a comeback, as symbolised by the lighting of its traditional, large holiday tree before the historic Nativity Church.

"It's been a bad two years without celebration; no holiday, no jobs, no work," remarks the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here on tourism and the tourist trade had fallen to nothing."

He accepts that the idea to restart festivities faced some controversy, as suffering continues in Gaza – which affects members of the tiny Christian community, who often have relatives to Bethlehem.

"Some may say it's not appropriate while others contend it is fitting," the mayor notes. "However, in my heart, I believed this constituted the right thing to take since the Christmas season should never be stopped or cancelled. This represents a beacon of hope for our community."

A Spark of Celebration Reappears

Locals – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – take photographs in front of the tree decorated with red and gold baubles at Manger Square. They are joined by a small number of foreign tourists.

Vibrant lights now adorn city streets and there are signs promoting holiday markets and children's parties.

"We are delighted to see the tree, first thing, and to see foreigners to Bethlehem and to be able to celebrate Christmas in its authentic spirit," comments Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This is where everything began, so this is where we can convey a message globally about what really Christmas represents. And this year, if the season is calm, then I hope it will deliver a nice message for the whole world."

Economic Hopes and Difficulties

Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to illuminate Christmas trees in the coming days. Local hotels – which have remained mostly vacant for two years – have an influx in reservations from Arab 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 everyone needs to come at minimum one time during their lifetime," she states.

"I hope a lot of people will return soon as it is sorrowful with few tourists. The sole aspect that's good is you don't have long lines – you can come and see more things. On my prior visit it was necessary to wait in a queue for a few hours at least."

For now, the gift shops dotted around Bethlehem experience scant trade, and outside the pale walls of the Nativity Church, which originate from the Fourth Century, tour guides are mostly unoccupied. Before the Gaza war, it was typically packed with visitors.

"This is a tourist city; without tourism there is no life," laments a guide named Hamza. "We hope to have people coming back like before: from European nations, the Middle East, America, Latin America and everywhere. We start with lighting the tree, and then we will wait."

The Lingering Economic Impact

Over the last two years, joblessness has soared in Bethlehem. Following the lethal Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the conflict, many thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank have been prevented from entering Israel and its settlements to work.

Meanwhile, public servants have been paid only partial salaries from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers areas within the West Bank. The PA depends on tax revenues collected by Israel, which it is withholding – to the tune of $1.76 billion, according to a UN agency.

Israel says they are retaining the funds due to the fact that the PA makes payments to Palestinian prisoners that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The authority – facing international pressure to enact reforms – claims it has recently changed its welfare system.

A Modest Holiday

The bleak economic situation means that for many Christian Palestinians, despite the fact that there are now public events in addition to religious ceremonies, it will constitute an austere Christmas.

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

"We're preparing for Christmas following one of our most challenging times as Palestinians and as a Christian community," states one restaurant owner, who runs a restaurant called Afteem, a long-established family-run eatery that has witnessed its income plummet. He says lately numerous families could not even afford falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food.

"Christians will try to mark the occasion but based on their situation," Mr Salameh anticipates. "Someone who wants to take his kids to a festive event or a show or similar, they lack the funds to spend on these celebrations."

Prayers for Calm and Recovery

Within the grotto beneath the church, a resident follows a small Indian tour group, bending down by a silver star that indicates the location where it is said that Jesus was born and igniting a light nearby.

With tensions still high across the region, Bethlehem residents say they are praying for tranquility – and wishing for visitors to return to the place which is thought to be Christmas began.