The Holiday Tree Illuminates for the First Time After the Outbreak of the Conflict

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

However, after a recent truce, the holy city determined that this year celebrations would make a comeback, as represented by the illumination of its customary, large holiday tree before the historic Nativity Church.

"We have endured two difficult years without celebration; no holiday, no employment, no work," remarks Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives from tourism and the tourist trade was down to zero."

He acknowledges that the decision to restart festivities was not without controversy, 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 is unsuitable and others say it's appropriate," the mayor notes. "But deep inside my heart, I believed that this was the right thing to do since Christmas should never be stopped or cancelled. This is a beacon of hope for our community."

A Glimmer of Festivity Returns

Locals – both Christians and Muslims – pose for selfies in front of the tree decorated with red and gold baubles in Manger Square. They are joined by a handful of foreign tourists.

Vibrant lights now decorate the streets and there are signs advertising holiday markets and children's parties.

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

"This is where everything began, so this is where we can send a message to the world of what Christmas truly represents. And now, if Christmas is peaceful, I sincerely 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 light holiday trees in the coming days. Hotels – which have remained largely empty for two years – have an influx of bookings from Palestinian citizens of Israel as well as some foreign visitors.

A visitor from Russia, named Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to this region. "In my view every person should visit at least once in their life," she says.

"I wish a lot of people will soon come back as it is sorrowful with few tourists. The sole aspect that is positive is you don't have long lines – you can come and experience more. When I came before it was necessary to wait in line for a few 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, tour guides are mostly unoccupied. Prior to the conflict, it was often crammed with people.

"This is a city for tourists; absent visitors there is no life," laments a guide named Hamza. "We hope to have people coming back like before: from Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, Latin America and all over. We begin with the Christmas tree lighting, and we'll wait."

The Persistent Economic Impact

Over the last two years, unemployment has skyrocketed within Bethlehem. Following the deadly Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel during October 2023 that sparked the war, tens of thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank have been blocked from entering Israel and Israeli settlements to work.

At the same time, public servants have been paid just a portion of their salaries from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers 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 these funds because the PA makes payments to incarcerated Palestinians that encourage violence against Israelis. The authority – which has been under international pressure to enact reforms – says it has recently changed its welfare system.

An Austere Holiday

The grim economic outlook means that for numerous Christian Palestinians, despite the fact that there are currently public events as well as religious ceremonies, it will be an austere Christmas.

On the periphery of the square, a few customers wait to buy hot balls of falafel from several shops.

"We're preparing for the holiday after one of our hardest periods as Palestinians and as Christians," states Alaa Salameh, who runs a restaurant called Afteem, a long-established family-run eatery which has seen its revenues collapse. He notes lately many families could not even purchase falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food.

"Christians will try to celebrate but based on their circumstances," Mr Salameh anticipates. "An individual wishing to bring their children to a festive event or a show or similar, he doesn't have the funds to spend for this celebration."

Hopes for Calm and Recovery

Within the grotto at the base of the Nativity Church, a local woman accompanies a small Indian tour group, stooping down by a silver star that indicates the location where tradition states that Jesus was born and igniting a candle nearby.

Amid ongoing high tensions across the region, Bethlehem residents state they are hoping for peace – and hoping for visitors to return to the place where it is believed where Christmas started.