Bethlehem's Holiday Tree Illuminates for the First Time After the Outbreak of the Conflict

For two years amid the Gaza war, all public celebrations marking the holiday season were called off within the city of Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This city is believed to be where Christians believe the birth of Jesus occurred.

But, after a recent truce, this sacred city determined that now the festivities would return, as symbolised by the illumination of its customary, giant Christmas tree in front of the ancient Church of the Nativity.

"We have endured a bad two years without celebration; no holiday, no jobs, no work," states the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives on tourism and the tourist trade had fallen to nothing."

The mayor acknowledges 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.

"Some may say it's not appropriate while others contend it is fitting," the mayor notes. "But deep inside my heart, I believed that this was the correct action to take because the Christmas season should never be stopped or cancelled. This represents a beacon of hope for us."

A Glimmer of Celebration Returns

Residents – both Christians and Muslims – pose for selfies before the tree decorated with red and gold baubles in Manger Square. They are joined by a small number of international visitors.

Vibrant lights now adorn city streets and there are signs promoting Christmas bazaars and children's parties.

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

"This place is where it all started, therefore here is where we can convey a message to the world about what Christmas truly should be about. And this year, if Christmas is peaceful, then I hope it will bring a positive message for the whole world."

Economic Hopes and Challenges

Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to illuminate holiday trees in the coming days. Local hotels – which have remained largely empty for two years – are seeing a rise of bookings from Palestinian citizens of Israel as well as some foreign visitors.

One tourist from Russia, Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "In my view every person should visit at least once during their lifetime," she says.

"I wish a lot of people will return soon because it's sad without many tourists. The sole aspect that's good is that there are no lengthy queues – one can visit and see more things. When I came before you had to wait in a queue for a few hours at least."

Currently, the gift shops dotted around Bethlehem have little business, and near the pale walls of the Church of the Nativity, which originate from the Fourth Century, tour guides largely stand idle. Prior to the Gaza war, it was typically packed with people.

"Bethlehem is a tourist city; without tourism there is no livelihood," expresses a guide named Hamza. "We aspire to see individuals returning like before: from European nations, the Middle East, the Americas, Latin American and everywhere. We begin with lighting the tree, and then we will wait."

The Lingering Economic Impact

Over the last two years, joblessness has soared within Bethlehem. Since the lethal attacks led by Hamas in southern Israel during October 2023 which triggered the conflict, many thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank have been prevented from entering Israel and Israeli settlements to work.

At the same time, government employees have received only partial wages from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers parts of the West Bank. The Authority depends on tax revenues gathered by Israel, which it is currently holding – amounting to 1.76 billion dollars, as reported by a UN agency.

Israel says it is holding the funds due to the fact that the Authority provides payments to Palestinian prisoners that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The authority – facing international pressure to enact reforms – claims it has recently changed its welfare system.

An Austere Holiday

The grim economic outlook means that for many Christian Palestinians, despite the fact that there are currently public events as well as religious services, it will be a subdued holiday season.

At the edge of the square, a few customers are waiting to purchase hot balls of falafel from several shops.

"We are getting ready for Christmas following one of our hardest periods as Palestinians and as a Christian community," says Alaa Salameh, who runs Afteem, a long-established family-run eatery which has seen its income plummet. He says lately many families could not even afford falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food.

"Christians will try to mark the occasion but according to their situation," Mr Salameh anticipates. "An individual wishing to bring their children to a festival or the theatre or similar, he doesn't have the money to spend for this celebration."

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, stooping down by a silver star that indicates the location where it is said that Jesus was born and lighting a candle close by.

With tensions still high throughout the area, Bethlehem residents state they are hoping for peace – and hoping for visitors to return to the place where it is believed Christmas began.