The Christmas Tree Lights Up Once Again Since the Outbreak of the Gaza War

Throughout a two-year period during the Gaza war, all public celebrations for Christmas were called off within the city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This place is where Christians believe Jesus was born.

However, after the recent ceasefire, this sacred city decided that now celebrations would make a comeback, as symbolised by the lighting of its customary, giant Christmas tree in front of the ancient Church of the Nativity.

"We have endured a bad two years of silence; no holiday, 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 acknowledges that the idea to restart festivities faced some debate, given the ongoing hardship in Gaza – which affects members of the tiny Christian community, many of whom have relatives to Bethlehem.

"Certain voices argue it's not appropriate and others say it is fitting," the mayor notes. "However, in my heart, I believed that this was the correct action to do because the Christmas season should never be halted or abandoned. This represents the light of hope for us."

A Glimmer of Celebration Reappears

Locals – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – pose for selfies before the tree hung with red and gold baubles at Manger Square. They are accompanied by a handful of foreign tourists.

Vibrant lights now decorate city streets with signs advertising holiday markets and children's parties.

"We're very happy to have the tree, first thing, and to see foreigners to Bethlehem and to be able to observe the holiday in its authentic spirit," says local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun.

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

Economic Prospects and Difficulties

Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to illuminate Christmas trees soon. Local hotels – which have remained largely empty for two years – are seeing a rise of bookings from Arab citizens of Israel as well as certain international tourists.

A visitor from Russia, Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to this region. "I think everyone needs to come at least once in their life," she says.

"I wish many visitors will soon come back as it is sorrowful without many tourists. The only thing that is positive is you don't have long lines – one can visit and see more things. When I came before you had to wait in line for a few hours at least."

Currently, the souvenir stores dotted around the city have little business, 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 people.

"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 Europe, the Middle Eastern region, the Americas, Latin American and everywhere. We begin with the Christmas tree lighting, and then we will wait."

The Persistent Economic Impact

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

Meanwhile, government employees have been paid just a portion of their wages by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs parts of the West Bank. The PA relies on tax revenues gathered by Israel, which it is withholding – to the tune of $1.76 billion, according to the UN's trade and development agency.

Israeli officials state they are retaining these funds because the PA makes payments to incarcerated Palestinians that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The PA – which has been under international pressure to enact reforms – says it has recently changed its social welfare system.

A Modest Holiday

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

On the periphery of Manger Square, a few customers wait to purchase sizzling balls of falafel from several shops.

"We're preparing for Christmas after one of our most challenging times as a Palestinian people and as Christians," states Alaa Salameh, who runs Afteem, a long-established family-run eatery that has witnessed its income plummet. He says that recently many families could not even purchase falafel – a cheap, traditional snack.

"Christians will try to celebrate but based on their situation," Mr Salameh anticipates. "An individual wishing to take his kids to a festive event or a show or whatever, they lack the money to spend for this celebration."

Prayers for Peace and Prosperity

In the cave-like grotto beneath the Nativity Church, a resident follows a tour group from India, bending down by a silver star which marks the spot where it is said Jesus was born and lighting a candle close by.

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