The Holiday Tree Lighting Lights Up Once Again Since the Outbreak of the Conflict

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

But, following a recent truce, this sacred city determined that now celebrations would return, as symbolised by the illumination of its traditional, giant Christmas tree in front of the historic Nativity Church.

"We have endured two difficult years of silence; no Christmas, no employment, no work," states the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here on tourism and tourism was down to nothing."

He acknowledges that the idea of resuming celebrations faced some debate, as suffering continues in Gaza – including for members of the tiny Christian community, who often have relatives to Bethlehem.

"Some may say it is unsuitable while others contend it's appropriate," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I felt that this was the right thing to do because Christmas must never be stopped or cancelled. This represents a beacon of hope for our community."

A Spark of Festivity Returns

Locals – both Christians and Muslims – take photographs before the tree decorated with gold and red ornaments at Manger Square. They are joined by a handful of foreign tourists.

Vibrant lights now adorn city streets and there are signs advertising Christmas bazaars and children's parties.

"We are delighted to have the tree, first of all, and to see foreigners in Bethlehem and to have the chance to celebrate Christmas in its authentic spirit," says local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This place is where it all started, so this is where we can convey a message globally about what really Christmas represents. And now, if Christmas is peaceful, I sincerely hope it will deliver a positive message for the whole world."

Economic Hopes and Difficulties

The neighbouring towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to light holiday trees in the coming days. Hotels – which have remained largely empty for the past two years – have an influx in reservations from Arab citizens of Israel along with some foreign visitors.

One tourist from Russia, named Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "In my view every person should visit at least once during their lifetime," she says.

"I hope many visitors will return soon because it's sad without many tourists. The only thing that is positive is that there are no lengthy queues – one can visit and experience more. When I came before you had to wait in a queue for hours minimum."

For now, the gift shops dotted around Bethlehem have little business, and near the pale walls of the Nativity Church, which originate from the Fourth Century, tour guides are mostly unoccupied. Prior to the conflict, it was typically packed with visitors.

"This is a tourist city; without tourism there is no life," expresses one guide Hamza. "We hope to have people coming back like before: from European nations, the Middle Eastern region, the Americas, Latin American and all over. We begin with lighting the tree, and we'll wait."

The Lingering Economic Impact

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

At the same time, public servants have been paid only partial salaries by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers parts of the West Bank. The Authority relies on tax revenues collected by Israel, which it is currently holding – to the tune of $1.76 billion, as reported by a UN agency.

Israel says it is holding the funds because the Authority provides financial payments to incarcerated Palestinians that encourage violence against Israelis. The PA – which has been under global pressure to enact reforms – says it has recently changed its social welfare system.

An Austere Holiday

The bleak economic situation implies that for many Christian Palestinians, despite the fact that there are currently public events as well as religious ceremonies, it will constitute an austere Christmas.

At the edge of the square, some patrons are waiting to purchase hot balls of falafel from several shops.

"We're preparing for Christmas after one of our most challenging times as Palestinians and as Christians," says one restaurant owner, an owner of Afteem, a decades-old family-run eatery that has witnessed its income plummet. He says lately many families could not even afford falafel – an inexpensive, traditional snack.

"The faithful will attempt to celebrate but according to their circumstances," Mr Salameh expects. "An individual wishing to take his kids to a festival or the theatre or whatever, they lack 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 by a silver star that indicates the spot where tradition states Jesus was born and igniting a light close by.

Amid ongoing high tensions throughout the area, Bethlehem residents state they are praying for peace – and hoping for tourists to come back to the location where it is believed Christmas began.