🔗 Share this article The Christmas Tree Illuminates for the First Time After the Start of the Conflict For two years during the conflict in Gaza, all public celebrations for Christmas were called off in Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This place is where the faithful hold the birth of Jesus occurred. But, after a recent truce, this sacred city decided that now the festivities would return, as represented by the illumination of its traditional, giant Christmas tree before the historic Nativity Church. "We have endured a bad two years of silence; no Christmas, no employment, no income," remarks Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives from tourism and tourism was down to zero." The mayor accepts that the decision to restart festivities faced some controversy, as suffering continues within Gaza – which affects members of the small Christian population, many of whom have family ties in Bethlehem. "Some may say it's not appropriate while others contend it's appropriate," Mr Canawati explains. "But deep inside my heart, I felt that this was the right thing to take since the Christmas season should never be halted or abandoned. This is the light of hope for us." A Glimmer of Festivity Reappears Locals – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – pose for selfies in front of the tree decorated with gold and red ornaments in Manger Square. They are joined by a handful of international visitors. Vibrant lights now decorate the streets and there are signs advertising Christmas bazaars and children's parties. "We are delighted to have the tree, first of all, and to see foreigners to Bethlehem and to have the chance to celebrate Christmas in its true spirit," says Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun. "This place is where everything began, so this is where we can convey the message globally about what Christmas truly represents. And now, if the season is calm, then I hope it will bring a positive message for the entire world." Economic Prospects and Challenges Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to light holiday trees soon. Local hotels – which have stood largely empty for the past two years – are seeing a rise in reservations from Palestinian citizens of Israel along with certain international tourists. One tourist from Russia, Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "I think everyone needs to come at least once during their lifetime," she says. "I hope a lot of people will soon come back as it is sorrowful without many tourists. The only thing that is positive is that there are no long lines – one can visit and experience more. When I came before you had to wait in line for hours at least." Currently, the souvenir stores scattered throughout Bethlehem experience scant trade, and outside the pale 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. "Bethlehem is a tourist city; without tourism there is no life," laments a guide named Hamza. "We hope to see individuals returning as in the past: from Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, Latin America and all over. We start with the Christmas tree lighting, and we'll wait." The Persistent Economic Toll In the past two years, joblessness has soared in Bethlehem. Since the deadly attacks led by Hamas on southern Israel during October 2023 that sparked the conflict, tens of thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank region have been prevented from entering Israel and Israeli settlements for work. Meanwhile, public servants have received just a portion of their wages by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers parts of the West Bank. The PA depends on tax revenues gathered by Israel, which it is currently holding – to the tune of 1.76 billion dollars, as reported by the UN's trade and development agency. Israeli officials state it is holding these funds because the PA makes financial payments to incarcerated Palestinians that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The PA – facing international pressure to make reforms – says it has lately modified its social welfare system. A Modest Holiday The bleak economic situation implies that for numerous Christian Palestinians, even though there are currently public events as well as religious services, it will constitute an austere Christmas. On the periphery of Manger Square, some patrons are waiting to buy sizzling balls of falafel from a row of shops. "We are getting ready for Christmas following one of our hardest periods as Palestinians and as a Christian community," states Alaa Salameh, an owner of Afteem, a long-established family-run eatery that has witnessed its income plummet. He says that recently 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 anticipates. "An individual wishing to take his kids to a festival or a show or similar, he doesn't have the money to expend on these celebrations." Hopes for Calm and Recovery Within the grotto at the base of the church, a resident accompanies a tour group from India, stooping down by a silver star that indicates the spot where it is said that Jesus was born and lighting a candle nearby. Amid ongoing high tensions across the region, people in Bethlehem state they are praying for tranquility – and hoping for visitors to return to the location where it is believed Christmas began.
For two years during the conflict in Gaza, all public celebrations for Christmas were called off in Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This place is where the faithful hold the birth of Jesus occurred. But, after a recent truce, this sacred city decided that now the festivities would return, as represented by the illumination of its traditional, giant Christmas tree before the historic Nativity Church. "We have endured a bad two years of silence; no Christmas, no employment, no income," remarks Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives from tourism and tourism was down to zero." The mayor accepts that the decision to restart festivities faced some controversy, as suffering continues within Gaza – which affects members of the small Christian population, many of whom have family ties in Bethlehem. "Some may say it's not appropriate while others contend it's appropriate," Mr Canawati explains. "But deep inside my heart, I felt that this was the right thing to take since the Christmas season should never be halted or abandoned. This is the light of hope for us." A Glimmer of Festivity Reappears Locals – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – pose for selfies in front of the tree decorated with gold and red ornaments in Manger Square. They are joined by a handful of international visitors. Vibrant lights now decorate the streets and there are signs advertising Christmas bazaars and children's parties. "We are delighted to have the tree, first of all, and to see foreigners to Bethlehem and to have the chance to celebrate Christmas in its true spirit," says Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun. "This place is where everything began, so this is where we can convey the message globally about what Christmas truly represents. And now, if the season is calm, then I hope it will bring a positive message for the entire world." Economic Prospects and Challenges Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to light holiday trees soon. Local hotels – which have stood largely empty for the past two years – are seeing a rise in reservations from Palestinian citizens of Israel along with certain international tourists. One tourist from Russia, Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "I think everyone needs to come at least once during their lifetime," she says. "I hope a lot of people will soon come back as it is sorrowful without many tourists. The only thing that is positive is that there are no long lines – one can visit and experience more. When I came before you had to wait in line for hours at least." Currently, the souvenir stores scattered throughout Bethlehem experience scant trade, and outside the pale 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. "Bethlehem is a tourist city; without tourism there is no life," laments a guide named Hamza. "We hope to see individuals returning as in the past: from Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, Latin America and all over. We start with the Christmas tree lighting, and we'll wait." The Persistent Economic Toll In the past two years, joblessness has soared in Bethlehem. Since the deadly attacks led by Hamas on southern Israel during October 2023 that sparked the conflict, tens of thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank region have been prevented from entering Israel and Israeli settlements for work. Meanwhile, public servants have received just a portion of their wages by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers parts of the West Bank. The PA depends on tax revenues gathered by Israel, which it is currently holding – to the tune of 1.76 billion dollars, as reported by the UN's trade and development agency. Israeli officials state it is holding these funds because the PA makes financial payments to incarcerated Palestinians that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The PA – facing international pressure to make reforms – says it has lately modified its social welfare system. A Modest Holiday The bleak economic situation implies that for numerous Christian Palestinians, even though there are currently public events as well as religious services, it will constitute an austere Christmas. On the periphery of Manger Square, some patrons are waiting to buy sizzling balls of falafel from a row of shops. "We are getting ready for Christmas following one of our hardest periods as Palestinians and as a Christian community," states Alaa Salameh, an owner of Afteem, a long-established family-run eatery that has witnessed its income plummet. He says that recently 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 anticipates. "An individual wishing to take his kids to a festival or a show or similar, he doesn't have the money to expend on these celebrations." Hopes for Calm and Recovery Within the grotto at the base of the church, a resident accompanies a tour group from India, stooping down by a silver star that indicates the spot where it is said that Jesus was born and lighting a candle nearby. Amid ongoing high tensions across the region, people in Bethlehem state they are praying for tranquility – and hoping for visitors to return to the location where it is believed Christmas began.