Bethlehem's Christmas Tree Lighting Lights Up Once Again Since the Start of the Gaza War
Throughout a two-year period amid the conflict in Gaza, all public celebrations marking the holiday season were cancelled within the city of Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This city is where Christians believe the birth of Jesus occurred.
But, following a recent truce, the holy city determined that now 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 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 was down to nothing."
The mayor acknowledges that the decision of resuming celebrations was not without debate, as suffering continues within Gaza – including for those in its tiny Christian community, who often have relatives in Bethlehem.
"Certain voices argue it's not appropriate while others contend it's appropriate," the mayor notes. "But deep inside my heart, I felt that this was the right thing to do since Christmas should never be halted or abandoned. This represents a beacon of hope for us."
A Spark of Celebration Returns
Locals – both Christians and Muslims – take photographs in front of the tree decorated with red and gold baubles in Manger Square. They are joined by a small number of foreign tourists.
Vibrant lights now decorate city streets with signs advertising holiday markets and festive events for children.
"We're very happy to have the tree, first of all, and to welcome visitors to Bethlehem and to be able to observe the holiday in its authentic spirit," says Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun.
"This is where it all started, so this is where we can send the message to the world of what Christmas truly represents. And this year, if the season is calm, then I hope it will bring a positive message for the entire world."
Economic Hopes and Challenges
Nearby towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to illuminate Christmas trees in the coming days. Hotels – which have remained mostly vacant for two years – have an influx of bookings from Palestinian citizens of Israel along with certain international tourists.
A visitor from Russia, named Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to this region. "In my view every person should visit at minimum one time during their lifetime," she states.
"I hope a lot of people will soon come back because it's sad without many tourists. The only thing that's good is you don't have lengthy queues – one can visit and experience more. When I came before it was necessary to wait in a queue for hours minimum."
Currently, the gift shops scattered throughout Bethlehem have little business, and outside the pale walls of the Nativity Church, which date back to the 4th century, guides are mostly unoccupied. Before the conflict, it was typically packed with visitors.
"Bethlehem 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 East, America, Latin America and everywhere. We start with lighting the tree, and we'll wait."
The Lingering Economic Impact
In the past two years, unemployment has skyrocketed in Bethlehem. Since the deadly attacks led by Hamas on southern Israel during October 2023 which triggered the war, tens of thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank have been blocked from entering Israel and Israeli settlements for work.
At the same time, government employees have been paid just a portion of their salaries by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs areas within the West Bank. The PA depends on tax income collected by Israel, which it is currently holding – to the tune of 1.76 billion dollars, as reported by the UN's trade and development agency.
Israel says they are retaining the funds because the PA makes financial payments to incarcerated Palestinians that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The PA – which has been under global pressure to enact reforms – claims it has recently changed its welfare system.
An Austere Holiday
The bleak economic outlook implies that for many Palestinian Christians, despite the fact that there are currently public festivities as well as religious ceremonies, it will be an austere Christmas.
On the periphery of the square, some patrons wait to purchase sizzling balls of falafel from several shops.
"We're preparing for Christmas after one of our hardest periods as Palestinians and as a Christian community," states Alaa Salameh, an owner of Afteem, a decades-old family-run eatery that has witnessed its revenues collapse. He says that recently many families could not even purchase falafel – a cheap, traditional food.
"Christians will try to celebrate but according to their circumstances," Mr Salameh anticipates. "An individual wishing to bring their children to a festive event or a show or whatever, he doesn't have the money to expend for this celebration."
Hopes for Peace and Prosperity
In the cave-like grotto beneath the church, a local woman follows a small Indian tour group, bending down by a silver star which marks the location where tradition states Jesus was born and igniting a candle nearby.
With tensions still high throughout the area, Bethlehem residents state they are hoping for peace – and hoping for tourists to come back to the place where it is believed where Christmas started.
