The Christmas Tree Lighting Lights Up Once Again After the Start of the Gaza War

For two years during the Gaza war, all public celebrations marking the holiday season were called off within the city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This place is believed to be where the faithful hold Jesus was born.

However, after a recent truce, this sacred city determined that this year celebrations would return, as represented by the lighting of its customary, large holiday tree in front of the ancient Church of the Nativity.

"We have endured two difficult years without celebration; no Christmas, no employment, no work," remarks the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here from tourism and tourism had fallen to nothing."

The mayor accepts that the decision of resuming celebrations was not without debate, given the ongoing hardship in Gaza – which affects those in its small Christian population, many of whom have family ties to Bethlehem.

"Some may say it is unsuitable while others contend it's appropriate," the mayor notes. "But deep inside my heart, I believed that this was the right thing to take because the Christmas season should never be stopped or cancelled. This is the light of hope for us."

A Glimmer of Celebration Reappears

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

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

"We're very happy to have the tree, first thing, and to welcome visitors in Bethlehem and to have the chance to celebrate Christmas in its authentic spirit," comments Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This is where everything began, therefore here is where we can send a message globally of what Christmas truly should be about. And this year, if Christmas is peaceful, I sincerely hope it will bring a nice message for the entire world."

Economic Prospects and Challenges

Nearby towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to light holiday trees soon. Hotels – which have remained mostly vacant for two years – have an influx of bookings from Arab citizens of Israel as well as certain international tourists.

A visitor from Russia, named Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to this region. "I think every person should visit at least once in their life," she says.

"I wish a lot of people will soon come back as it is sorrowful without many tourists. The only thing 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 hours minimum."

For now, the gift shops dotted around the city have little business, and outside the pale walls of the Church of the Nativity, which date back to the Fourth Century, guides largely stand idle. Before the conflict, it was typically packed with people.

"Bethlehem is a city for tourists; without tourism there is no life," expresses a guide named Hamza. "We hope to have people coming back as in the past: from European nations, the Middle East, America, Latin America and everywhere. We begin with lighting the tree, and we'll wait."

The Persistent Economic Impact

Over the last two years, joblessness has soared within Bethlehem. Following the deadly Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel during October 2023 that sparked the conflict, many thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank have been prevented from entering Israel and Israeli settlements for work.

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

Israel says it is holding these funds because the PA makes financial payments to incarcerated Palestinians that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The PA – facing international pressure to enact reforms – says it has recently changed its welfare system.

A Modest Holiday

The grim economic situation implies that for many Christian Palestinians, even though there are now public festivities in addition to religious services, it will be a subdued holiday season.

At the edge of the square, a few customers are waiting to buy hot balls of falafel from a row of shops.

"We're preparing for the holiday after one of our hardest periods as a Palestinian people and as Christians," says Alaa Salameh, who runs Afteem, a decades-old family-run eatery which has seen its revenues collapse. He notes lately numerous families could not even purchase falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food.

"The faithful will attempt to mark the occasion but based on their circumstances," Mr Salameh expects. "An individual wishing to take his kids to a festival or the theatre or whatever, he doesn't have the money to expend on these celebrations."

Hopes for Calm and Recovery

In the cave-like grotto at the base of the Nativity Church, a resident follows a small Indian tour group, stooping down near a silver star which marks the location where it is said that Jesus was born and igniting a candle nearby.

Amid ongoing high tensions throughout the area, Bethlehem residents state they are hoping for tranquility – and hoping for tourists to come back to the place which is thought to be where Christmas started.