The Holiday Tree Lighting Illuminates Once Again Since the Start of the Conflict

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

But, after a recent truce, this sacred city determined that this year the festivities would make a comeback, as symbolised 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 employment, no work," states the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives from tourism and the tourist trade had fallen to zero."

He acknowledges that the idea to restart festivities faced some debate, given the ongoing hardship in Gaza – including for those in its small Christian population, many of whom have family ties to Bethlehem.

"Some may say it's not appropriate while others contend it is fitting," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I believed that this was the correct action to do because Christmas should never be halted or abandoned. This is the light of hope for our community."

A Spark of Festivity Returns

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

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

"We're very happy to have the tree, first thing, and to welcome visitors to Bethlehem and to be able to observe the holiday in its true spirit," says Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun.

"This is where everything began, so this is where we can send a message globally of what really Christmas should be about. And now, if the season is calm, then I hope it will bring a positive message for the whole world."

Economic Prospects and Difficulties

Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to light holiday trees soon. Hotels – which have stood largely empty for two years – have an influx of bookings from Arab citizens of Israel along with some foreign visitors.

One tourist from Russia, Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "I think every person should visit at least once during their lifetime," she states.

"I hope a lot of people will soon come back as it is sorrowful without many tourists. The sole aspect that's good is there are no lengthy queues – one can visit and experience more. On my prior visit you had to wait in line for a few hours at least."

Currently, the gift shops scattered throughout Bethlehem have little business, and near the cream-coloured walls of the Church of the Nativity, which date back to the 4th century, tour guides largely stand idle. Prior to the Gaza war, it was typically packed with people.

"This is a city for tourists; without tourism there is no life," laments one guide Hamza. "We aspire to have people returning 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 Impact

In the past two years, joblessness has soared in Bethlehem. Since the lethal attacks led by Hamas in southern Israel during October 2023 that sparked the conflict, many thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank region have been prevented from entering Israel and its settlements for work.

Meanwhile, public servants have been paid only partial salaries by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers parts of the West Bank. The Authority depends on tax income collected 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 it is holding the funds because the Authority provides financial payments to incarcerated Palestinians that encourage violence against Israelis. The PA – facing global pressure to make reforms – claims it has recently changed its social welfare system.

A Modest Christmas Season

The bleak economic outlook means that for many Palestinian Christians, even though there are now public festivities as well as religious ceremonies, it will constitute an austere Christmas.

At the edge of the square, some patrons wait to purchase sizzling balls of falafel from a row of shops.

"We're preparing for Christmas after one of our hardest periods as Palestinians 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 many families could not even purchase falafel – a cheap, traditional food.

"The faithful will attempt to mark the occasion but according to their circumstances," Mr Salameh expects. "Someone who wants to take his kids to a festival or a show or similar, he doesn't have the funds to expend for this celebration."

Hopes for Calm and Recovery

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

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