🔗 Share this article The Christmas Tree Illuminates for the First Time Since the Start of the Conflict Throughout a two-year period during the Gaza war, every festive public event marking the holiday season were called off in Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This place is where the faithful hold Jesus was born. However, after the recent ceasefire, the holy city determined that this year the festivities would return, as represented by the lighting of its traditional, giant Christmas tree before the ancient Church of the Nativity. "We have endured a bad two years of silence; no holiday, no employment, no income," states Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives on tourism and the tourist trade had fallen to zero." The mayor accepts that the decision to restart festivities faced some debate, given the ongoing hardship within Gaza – which affects members of the tiny Christian community, many of whom have family ties in Bethlehem. "Some may say it is unsuitable while others contend it is fitting," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I felt this constituted the correct action to do since the Christmas season should never be halted or abandoned. This represents the light of hope for our community." A Glimmer of Festivity Reappears Residents – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – take photographs in front of the tree hung with red and gold baubles in Manger Square. They are joined by a handful of international visitors. Vibrant lights now adorn the streets with signs advertising Christmas bazaars and festive events for children. "We are delighted to see the tree, first thing, and to welcome visitors to Bethlehem and to have the chance to observe the holiday in its authentic spirit," comments Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun. "This is where it all started, therefore here is where we can send the message to the world about what Christmas truly should be about. And now, if Christmas is peaceful, then I hope it will deliver a nice message for the whole world." Economic Prospects and Challenges Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to light Christmas trees soon. Local hotels – which have stood largely empty for two years – have an influx in reservations from Arab citizens of Israel as well as some foreign visitors. One tourist from Russia, named Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to this region. "In my view every person should visit at least once during their lifetime," she says. "I wish many visitors will soon come back because it's sad without many tourists. The only thing that is positive is you don't have long lines – you can come and see more things. On my prior visit you had to wait in line for hours at least." For now, the gift shops dotted around the city experience scant trade, and outside the pale walls of the Church of the Nativity, which originate from the Fourth Century, guides largely stand idle. Before the Gaza war, it was typically packed with people. "Bethlehem is a city for tourists; without tourism there is no livelihood," expresses a guide named Hamza. "We hope to see individuals returning like before: from Europe, the Middle Eastern region, America, Latin American and all over. We begin with the Christmas tree lighting, and then we will wait." The Persistent Economic Toll Over the last two years, joblessness has soared in Bethlehem. Following the deadly attacks led by Hamas on southern Israel during October 2023 which triggered the war, many thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank have been blocked from entering Israel and Israeli settlements to work. Meanwhile, government employees have been paid just a portion of their salaries by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers parts of the West Bank. The Authority relies on tax income collected by Israel, which it is currently holding – amounting to $1.76 billion, as reported by the UN's trade and development agency. Israel says it is holding the funds due to the fact that the PA makes payments to Palestinian prisoners that encourage violence against Israelis. The PA – facing international pressure to make reforms – claims it has lately modified its social welfare system. An Austere Christmas Season The bleak economic situation implies that for numerous Palestinian Christians, even though there are currently public events in addition to 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 several shops. "We are getting ready for the holiday following one of our most challenging times as Palestinians and as a Christian community," states Alaa Salameh, an owner of Afteem, a long-established family-run eatery which has seen its income plummet. He says lately many families could not even purchase falafel – an inexpensive, traditional snack. "Christians will try to celebrate but based on their circumstances," Mr Salameh expects. "An individual wishing to bring their children to a festival or a show or whatever, he doesn't have the money to expend on these celebrations." Prayers for Peace and Prosperity In the cave-like grotto at the base of the church, a local woman follows 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 light nearby. With tensions still high throughout the area, people in Bethlehem say they are praying for peace – and hoping for tourists to come back to the place where it is believed Christmas began.
Throughout a two-year period during the Gaza war, every festive public event marking the holiday season were called off in Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This place is where the faithful hold Jesus was born. However, after the recent ceasefire, the holy city determined that this year the festivities would return, as represented by the lighting of its traditional, giant Christmas tree before the ancient Church of the Nativity. "We have endured a bad two years of silence; no holiday, no employment, no income," states Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives on tourism and the tourist trade had fallen to zero." The mayor accepts that the decision to restart festivities faced some debate, given the ongoing hardship within Gaza – which affects members of the tiny Christian community, many of whom have family ties in Bethlehem. "Some may say it is unsuitable while others contend it is fitting," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I felt this constituted the correct action to do since the Christmas season should never be halted or abandoned. This represents the light of hope for our community." A Glimmer of Festivity Reappears Residents – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – take photographs in front of the tree hung with red and gold baubles in Manger Square. They are joined by a handful of international visitors. Vibrant lights now adorn the streets with signs advertising Christmas bazaars and festive events for children. "We are delighted to see the tree, first thing, and to welcome visitors to Bethlehem and to have the chance to observe the holiday in its authentic spirit," comments Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun. "This is where it all started, therefore here is where we can send the message to the world about what Christmas truly should be about. And now, if Christmas is peaceful, then I hope it will deliver a nice message for the whole world." Economic Prospects and Challenges Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to light Christmas trees soon. Local hotels – which have stood largely empty for two years – have an influx in reservations from Arab citizens of Israel as well as some foreign visitors. One tourist from Russia, named Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to this region. "In my view every person should visit at least once during their lifetime," she says. "I wish many visitors will soon come back because it's sad without many tourists. The only thing that is positive is you don't have long lines – you can come and see more things. On my prior visit you had to wait in line for hours at least." For now, the gift shops dotted around the city experience scant trade, and outside the pale walls of the Church of the Nativity, which originate from the Fourth Century, guides largely stand idle. Before the Gaza war, it was typically packed with people. "Bethlehem is a city for tourists; without tourism there is no livelihood," expresses a guide named Hamza. "We hope to see individuals returning like before: from Europe, the Middle Eastern region, America, Latin American and all over. We begin with the Christmas tree lighting, and then we will wait." The Persistent Economic Toll Over the last two years, joblessness has soared in Bethlehem. Following the deadly attacks led by Hamas on southern Israel during October 2023 which triggered the war, many thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank have been blocked from entering Israel and Israeli settlements to work. Meanwhile, government employees have been paid just a portion of their salaries by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers parts of the West Bank. The Authority relies on tax income collected by Israel, which it is currently holding – amounting to $1.76 billion, as reported by the UN's trade and development agency. Israel says it is holding the funds due to the fact that the PA makes payments to Palestinian prisoners that encourage violence against Israelis. The PA – facing international pressure to make reforms – claims it has lately modified its social welfare system. An Austere Christmas Season The bleak economic situation implies that for numerous Palestinian Christians, even though there are currently public events in addition to 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 several shops. "We are getting ready for the holiday following one of our most challenging times as Palestinians and as a Christian community," states Alaa Salameh, an owner of Afteem, a long-established family-run eatery which has seen its income plummet. He says lately many families could not even purchase falafel – an inexpensive, traditional snack. "Christians will try to celebrate but based on their circumstances," Mr Salameh expects. "An individual wishing to bring their children to a festival or a show or whatever, he doesn't have the money to expend on these celebrations." Prayers for Peace and Prosperity In the cave-like grotto at the base of the church, a local woman follows 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 light nearby. With tensions still high throughout the area, people in Bethlehem say they are praying for peace – and hoping for tourists to come back to the place where it is believed Christmas began.