The Christmas Tree Lighting Illuminates for the First Time After the Outbreak of the Gaza War

For two years amid the Gaza war, all public celebrations for Christmas were called off in Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This place is where Christians believe the birth of Jesus occurred.

However, following the recent ceasefire, this sacred city determined that now celebrations would return, as symbolised by the illumination of its customary, giant Christmas tree before the ancient Church of the Nativity.

"We have endured two difficult years of silence; no holiday, no employment, no income," states the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives on tourism and tourism was down to nothing."

The mayor accepts that the idea to restart festivities faced some controversy, as suffering continues in Gaza – which affects those in its small Christian population, many of whom have family ties to Bethlehem.

"Certain voices argue it is unsuitable while others contend it is fitting," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I believed that this was the right thing to take since the Christmas season must never be stopped or cancelled. This represents the light of hope for us."

A Glimmer of Celebration Returns

Residents – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – pose for selfies in front of the tree hung with red and gold baubles at Manger Square. They are accompanied by a handful of international visitors.

Brightly coloured lights now adorn the streets and there are signs advertising Christmas bazaars and children's parties.

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

"This is where it all started, so this 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 deliver a nice message for the whole world."

Economic Prospects and Challenges

The neighbouring towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to illuminate holiday trees soon. Hotels – which have remained mostly vacant for two years – are seeing a rise of bookings from Palestinian citizens of Israel along with certain international tourists.

One tourist from Russia, named Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to this region. "I think every person should visit at minimum one time during their lifetime," she states.

"I hope many visitors will return soon because it's sad with few tourists. The only thing that is positive is that you don't have lengthy queues – one can visit and see more things. On my prior visit it was necessary to wait in line for hours minimum."

Currently, the souvenir stores dotted around Bethlehem experience scant trade, and outside the pale walls of the Nativity Church, which date back to the 4th century, tour guides largely stand idle. Before the conflict, it was typically packed with people.

"This is a tourist city; absent visitors there is no life," expresses one guide Hamza. "We aspire to have people coming back as in the past: from European nations, the Middle East, the Americas, Latin American and all over. We begin with the Christmas tree lighting, and we'll wait."

The Lingering Economic Toll

In the past two years, joblessness has soared in Bethlehem. Since the deadly Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel in October 2023 which triggered the conflict, many thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank region have been prevented from entering Israel and Israeli settlements for work.

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

Israel says they are retaining these funds due to the fact that the PA makes financial payments to incarcerated Palestinians that encourage attacks on Israelis. The PA – which has been under international pressure to enact reforms – says it has recently changed its social welfare system.

An Austere Christmas Season

The bleak economic outlook means that for numerous Christian Palestinians, even though there are now public events as well as religious services, it will be an austere Christmas.

At the edge of Manger Square, some patrons wait to buy sizzling balls of falafel from a row of shops.

"We're preparing for Christmas following one of our most challenging times as a Palestinian people and as Christians," states Alaa Salameh, who runs a restaurant called Afteem, a decades-old family-run eatery which has seen its revenues collapse. He notes lately numerous families could not even afford falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food.

"Christians will try 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 whatever, they lack the money to expend on these celebrations."

Hopes for Peace and Prosperity

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

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