The Holiday Tree Lights Up for the First Time Since the Outbreak of the Gaza War

Throughout a two-year period during the conflict in Gaza, every festive public event marking the holiday season were cancelled in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This city is believed to be where Christians believe the birth of Jesus occurred.

However, after a recent truce, the holy city determined that now celebrations would make a comeback, as represented by the lighting of its customary, giant Christmas tree in front of the historic Nativity Church.

"We have endured a bad two years of silence; no Christmas, no jobs, no income," remarks the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here from tourism and the tourist trade had fallen to nothing."

The mayor accepts that the decision to restart festivities was not without controversy, as suffering continues within Gaza – which affects members of the tiny Christian community, who often have relatives in Bethlehem.

"Certain voices argue it's not appropriate while others contend it is fitting," the mayor notes. "But deep inside my heart, I believed this constituted the correct action to do because the Christmas season must never be halted or abandoned. This represents a beacon of hope for us."

A Glimmer of Festivity Reappears

Locals – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – pose for selfies before the tree hung with red and gold baubles at Manger Square. They are accompanied by a handful of foreign tourists.

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

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

"This is where it all started, so this is where we can convey the message to the world about what Christmas truly should be about. And now, if the season is calm, I sincerely hope it will bring a positive message for the whole world."

Economic Hopes and Difficulties

Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to illuminate holiday trees in the coming days. Local hotels – which have stood mostly vacant for the past two years – are seeing a rise in reservations from Palestinian citizens of Israel as well as certain international tourists.

One tourist from Russia, named Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "In my view everyone needs to come at least once in their life," she states.

"I wish many visitors will return soon as it is sorrowful without many 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 you had to wait in a queue for a few hours minimum."

Currently, the souvenir stores dotted around the city experience scant trade, and near the pale walls of the Church of the Nativity, which date back to the Fourth Century, guides largely stand idle. Before the conflict, it was typically packed with people.

"Bethlehem is a city for tourists; without tourism there is no life," expresses a guide named Hamza. "We aspire to see individuals coming back like before: from Europe, the Middle Eastern region, America, Latin America and everywhere. We begin with the Christmas tree lighting, and then we will wait."

The Persistent Economic Impact

Over the last two years, unemployment has skyrocketed within Bethlehem. Since the deadly Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the conflict, tens of thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank region 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 Authority depends on tax income gathered by Israel, which it is currently holding – amounting to $1.76 billion, as reported by the UN's trade and development agency.

Israel says they are retaining these funds due to the fact that the Authority provides payments to Palestinian prisoners that encourage 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 means that for many Christian Palestinians, despite the fact that there are currently public festivities in addition to religious services, it will be a subdued holiday season.

On the periphery of Manger Square, a few customers are waiting to purchase hot 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 a Christian community," states Alaa Salameh, an owner of 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 – a cheap, traditional snack.

"The faithful will attempt to celebrate but based on their circumstances," Mr Salameh expects. "An individual wishing to bring their children to a festival or the theatre or whatever, he doesn't have the money to expend on these celebrations."

Prayers for Calm and Recovery

In the cave-like grotto at the base of the church, a local woman accompanies a small Indian tour group, bending down near a silver star which marks the spot where it is said that Jesus was born and igniting a candle close by.

With tensions still high throughout the area, people in Bethlehem state they are hoping for peace – and hoping for tourists to come back to the place which is thought to be where Christmas started.