Bethlehem's Holiday Tree Illuminates for the First Time After 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 place is believed to be where Christians believe Jesus was born.

However, following the recent ceasefire, this sacred city decided that now celebrations would return, as represented by the illumination of its traditional, giant Christmas tree before the historic Nativity Church.

"We have endured two difficult years without celebration; no holiday, no jobs, no income," states Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives from tourism and tourism was down to nothing."

He accepts that the idea to restart festivities was not without debate, given the ongoing hardship within Gaza – which affects those in its tiny Christian community, many of whom have relatives in Bethlehem.

"Certain voices argue it is unsuitable while others contend it's appropriate," the mayor notes. "But deep inside my heart, I believed that this was the right thing to do since Christmas must never be stopped or cancelled. This represents the light of hope for our community."

A Spark of Festivity Returns

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

Vibrant lights now adorn the streets with signs promoting holiday markets and festive events for children.

"We're very happy to see the tree, first of all, and to see foreigners to Bethlehem and to be able to observe the holiday in its authentic spirit," says Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This place is where everything began, therefore here is where we can convey the message globally about what Christmas truly should be about. And this year, if the season is calm, I sincerely 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 light Christmas trees soon. Hotels – which have remained mostly vacant for two years – are seeing a rise of bookings from Palestinian citizens of Israel along with some foreign visitors.

One tourist from Russia, Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to this region. "I think everyone needs to come at minimum one time in their life," she says.

"I wish many visitors will soon come back because it's sad without many tourists. The sole aspect that's good is that you don't have long lines – one can visit and see more things. On my prior visit you had to wait in a queue for a few hours minimum."

For now, the gift shops scattered throughout Bethlehem experience scant trade, and outside the cream-coloured walls of the Church of the Nativity, which originate from the 4th century, guides are mostly unoccupied. Before the conflict, it was typically packed with people.

"Bethlehem is a tourist city; absent visitors there is no life," laments one guide Hamza. "We aspire to have people returning as in the past: from Europe, the Middle Eastern region, the Americas, Latin American and everywhere. We start with lighting the tree, and then we will wait."

The Persistent Economic Toll

In the past two years, unemployment has skyrocketed in Bethlehem. Following the deadly attacks led by Hamas on southern Israel in October 2023 which triggered the war, many thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank region have been prevented from entering Israel and its settlements for work.

At the same time, public servants have received just a portion of their salaries by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers areas within the West Bank. The Authority relies on tax revenues gathered by Israel, which it is withholding – to the tune of $1.76 billion, according to a UN agency.

Israel says it is holding the funds due to the fact that the Authority provides payments to incarcerated Palestinians that incentivise violence against Israelis. The authority – facing global pressure to make reforms – claims it has lately modified its social welfare system.

An Austere Holiday

The grim economic situation implies that for many Palestinian Christians, despite the fact that there are now public events as well as religious ceremonies, it will constitute a subdued holiday season.

On the periphery of Manger Square, a few customers wait to purchase hot balls of falafel from a row of shops.

"We are getting ready for the holiday after one of our most challenging times as Palestinians and as Christians," says Alaa Salameh, who runs a restaurant called Afteem, a long-established family restaurant which has seen its revenues collapse. He says lately numerous families could not even purchase falafel – a cheap, traditional snack.

"Christians will try to mark the occasion but according to their situation," Mr Salameh expects. "An individual wishing to take his kids to a festive event or a show or whatever, he doesn't have the money to expend on these celebrations."

Prayers for Peace and Prosperity

Within the grotto at the base of the church, a local woman accompanies a tour group from India, bending down by a silver star which marks the spot where tradition states that Jesus was born and lighting 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.