🔗 Share this article Bethlehem's Holiday Tree Lights Up Once Again After the Outbreak of the Conflict Throughout a two-year period during the Gaza war, all public celebrations for Christmas were cancelled in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This place is believed to be where Christians believe the birth of Jesus occurred. But, following the recent ceasefire, this sacred city decided that now celebrations would return, as represented by the illumination of its customary, large holiday tree in front of the ancient Church of the Nativity. "It's been two difficult years of silence; no Christmas, no jobs, no income," remarks Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here on tourism and the tourist trade had fallen to zero." The mayor accepts that the decision of resuming celebrations faced some debate, given the ongoing hardship within Gaza – which affects those in its small Christian population, many of whom have relatives to Bethlehem. "Certain voices argue it's not appropriate while others contend it's appropriate," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I felt that this was the right thing to do because Christmas must never be halted or abandoned. This is a beacon of hope for us." A Spark of Festivity Reappears Residents – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – pose for selfies in front of the tree decorated with red and gold baubles at Manger Square. They are joined by a small number of international visitors. Brightly coloured lights now decorate city streets and there are signs advertising holiday markets and festive events for children. "We're very happy to see the tree, first thing, and to welcome visitors to Bethlehem and to be able to observe the holiday in its authentic spirit," says Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun. "This is where it all started, therefore here is where we can send a message to the world of what really Christmas 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 Hopes and Challenges Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend 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 certain international tourists. A visitor from Russia, named Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to this region. "In my view every person should visit at least once in their life," she says. "I wish many visitors will return soon because it's sad with few tourists. The only thing that is positive is that there are no lengthy queues – one can visit and experience more. On my prior visit it was necessary to wait in line for a few hours at least." For now, the souvenir stores dotted around Bethlehem have little business, and near the pale walls of the Nativity Church, which date back to the 4th century, guides are mostly unoccupied. Prior to the Gaza war, it was often crammed with visitors. "Bethlehem is a tourist city; absent visitors there is no life," expresses a guide named Hamza. "We aspire to see individuals coming back as in the past: from European nations, the Middle Eastern region, the Americas, Latin American and everywhere. We start with lighting the tree, and then we will wait." The Lingering Economic Impact Over the last two years, joblessness has soared in Bethlehem. Following the deadly attacks led by Hamas on southern Israel during October 2023 that sparked the war, many thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank region have been blocked from entering Israel and Israeli settlements to work. Meanwhile, public servants have received only partial salaries from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers areas within the West Bank. The PA depends on tax revenues gathered by Israel, which it is currently holding – amounting to $1.76 billion, according to the UN's trade and development agency. Israeli officials state they are retaining the funds because the PA makes payments to incarcerated Palestinians that incentivise violence against Israelis. The PA – facing global pressure to make reforms – says it has lately modified its welfare system. An Austere Holiday The bleak economic outlook implies that for numerous Palestinian Christians, despite the fact that there are now public events in addition to religious ceremonies, it will be an austere Christmas. At the edge of Manger Square, some patrons wait 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," says Alaa Salameh, an owner of Afteem, a long-established family restaurant that has witnessed its revenues collapse. He says lately many families could not even purchase falafel – a cheap, traditional snack. "Christians will try to mark the occasion but based on their situation," Mr Salameh anticipates. "An individual wishing to take his kids to a festive event or the theatre or similar, he doesn't have the money to spend on these celebrations." Hopes for Peace and Prosperity Within the grotto at the base of the church, a resident follows a tour group from India, bending down by a silver star that indicates the spot where tradition states that Jesus was born and lighting a candle close by. Amid ongoing high tensions across the region, Bethlehem residents say they are praying for peace – and wishing for tourists to come back to the place where it is believed where Christmas started.
Throughout a two-year period during the Gaza war, all public celebrations for Christmas were cancelled in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This place is believed to be where Christians believe the birth of Jesus occurred. But, following the recent ceasefire, this sacred city decided that now celebrations would return, as represented by the illumination of its customary, large holiday tree in front of the ancient Church of the Nativity. "It's been two difficult years of silence; no Christmas, no jobs, no income," remarks Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here on tourism and the tourist trade had fallen to zero." The mayor accepts that the decision of resuming celebrations faced some debate, given the ongoing hardship within Gaza – which affects those in its small Christian population, many of whom have relatives to Bethlehem. "Certain voices argue it's not appropriate while others contend it's appropriate," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I felt that this was the right thing to do because Christmas must never be halted or abandoned. This is a beacon of hope for us." A Spark of Festivity Reappears Residents – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – pose for selfies in front of the tree decorated with red and gold baubles at Manger Square. They are joined by a small number of international visitors. Brightly coloured lights now decorate city streets and there are signs advertising holiday markets and festive events for children. "We're very happy to see the tree, first thing, and to welcome visitors to Bethlehem and to be able to observe the holiday in its authentic spirit," says Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun. "This is where it all started, therefore here is where we can send a message to the world of what really Christmas 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 Hopes and Challenges Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend 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 certain international tourists. A visitor from Russia, named Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to this region. "In my view every person should visit at least once in their life," she says. "I wish many visitors will return soon because it's sad with few tourists. The only thing that is positive is that there are no lengthy queues – one can visit and experience more. On my prior visit it was necessary to wait in line for a few hours at least." For now, the souvenir stores dotted around Bethlehem have little business, and near the pale walls of the Nativity Church, which date back to the 4th century, guides are mostly unoccupied. Prior to the Gaza war, it was often crammed with visitors. "Bethlehem is a tourist city; absent visitors there is no life," expresses a guide named Hamza. "We aspire to see individuals coming back as in the past: from European nations, the Middle Eastern region, the Americas, Latin American and everywhere. We start with lighting the tree, and then we will wait." The Lingering Economic Impact Over the last two years, joblessness has soared in Bethlehem. Following the deadly attacks led by Hamas on southern Israel during October 2023 that sparked the war, many thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank region have been blocked from entering Israel and Israeli settlements to work. Meanwhile, public servants have received only partial salaries from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers areas within the West Bank. The PA depends on tax revenues gathered by Israel, which it is currently holding – amounting to $1.76 billion, according to the UN's trade and development agency. Israeli officials state they are retaining the funds because the PA makes payments to incarcerated Palestinians that incentivise violence against Israelis. The PA – facing global pressure to make reforms – says it has lately modified its welfare system. An Austere Holiday The bleak economic outlook implies that for numerous Palestinian Christians, despite the fact that there are now public events in addition to religious ceremonies, it will be an austere Christmas. At the edge of Manger Square, some patrons wait 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," says Alaa Salameh, an owner of Afteem, a long-established family restaurant that has witnessed its revenues collapse. He says lately many families could not even purchase falafel – a cheap, traditional snack. "Christians will try to mark the occasion but based on their situation," Mr Salameh anticipates. "An individual wishing to take his kids to a festive event or the theatre or similar, he doesn't have the money to spend on these celebrations." Hopes for Peace and Prosperity Within the grotto at the base of the church, a resident follows a tour group from India, bending down by a silver star that indicates the spot where tradition states that Jesus was born and lighting a candle close by. Amid ongoing high tensions across the region, Bethlehem residents say they are praying for peace – and wishing for tourists to come back to the place where it is believed where Christmas started.