The Christmas Tree Illuminates for the First Time Since the Start of the Gaza War

Throughout a two-year period during the Gaza war, all public celebrations marking the holiday season were called off in Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This place is where the faithful hold the birth of Jesus occurred.

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

"We have endured a bad two years of silence; no Christmas, no employment, no work," states the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives from tourism and tourism was down to nothing."

He acknowledges that the decision to restart festivities was not without debate, as suffering continues within Gaza – including for members of the tiny Christian community, who often have family ties in Bethlehem.

"Certain voices argue it is unsuitable while others contend it's appropriate," Mr Canawati explains. "But deep inside my heart, I believed that this was the right thing to take since Christmas should never be halted or abandoned. This represents a beacon of hope for us."

A Spark of Celebration Reappears

Residents – both Christians and Muslims – pose for selfies before 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 the streets and there are signs promoting holiday markets and children's parties.

"We are delighted to have the tree, first of all, and to see foreigners to Bethlehem and to be able to observe the holiday in its authentic spirit," comments local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This place is where everything began, so this is where we can send the message globally of what really Christmas should be about. And this year, if the season is calm, I sincerely hope it will bring a nice message for the entire world."

Economic Hopes and Difficulties

The neighbouring towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to illuminate holiday trees soon. Hotels – which have remained largely empty for two years – are seeing a rise of bookings from Arab citizens of Israel as well as some foreign visitors.

One tourist from Russia, 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 wish many visitors will soon come back because it's sad with few tourists. The only thing that's good is that there are no lengthy queues – one can visit and experience more. On my prior visit you had to wait in a queue for hours at least."

Currently, the souvenir stores dotted around the city experience scant trade, and outside the cream-coloured walls of the Nativity Church, which date back to the 4th century, guides largely stand idle. Prior to the conflict, it was often crammed with people.

"This is a city for tourists; absent visitors there is no livelihood," laments one guide Hamza. "We aspire to see individuals coming back as in the past: from European nations, the Middle East, America, Latin America and everywhere. We start with the Christmas tree lighting, and we'll wait."

The Lingering Economic Impact

In the past two years, unemployment has skyrocketed in Bethlehem. Since the lethal attacks led by Hamas on southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the war, many thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank have been blocked from entering Israel and its settlements for work.

Meanwhile, government employees have been paid only partial salaries from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs parts of the West Bank. The PA depends on tax revenues gathered by Israel, which it is currently holding – to the tune of $1.76 billion, according to a UN agency.

Israeli officials state it is holding the funds because the PA makes financial payments to Palestinian prisoners that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The PA – facing international pressure to make reforms – says it has recently changed its social welfare system.

A Modest Holiday

The bleak economic outlook implies that for many Palestinian Christians, despite the fact that there are currently 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 are getting ready for the holiday after one of our most challenging times as a Palestinian people and as Christians," says Alaa Salameh, who runs a restaurant called Afteem, a long-established family-run eatery which has seen its income plummet. He notes lately numerous families could not even afford falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food.

"The faithful will attempt to mark the occasion but based on their circumstances," Mr Salameh anticipates. "Someone who wants to bring their children to a festival or a show or similar, he doesn't have the funds to expend on these celebrations."

Hopes for Peace and Prosperity

In the cave-like grotto at the base of the Nativity Church, a local woman accompanies a tour group from India, bending down near a silver star that indicates the location where tradition states that Jesus was born and igniting a light nearby.

Amid ongoing high tensions across the region, people in Bethlehem state they are praying for tranquility – and wishing for tourists to come back to the location which is thought to be where Christmas started.