The Holiday Tree Lighting Illuminates Once Again After the Outbreak of the Gaza War
For two years amid the Gaza war, all public celebrations for Christmas were called off within the city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This city is believed to be where the faithful hold Jesus was born.
However, after a recent truce, this sacred city determined that this year celebrations would return, as represented by the lighting of its traditional, large holiday tree before the historic Nativity Church.
"It's been a bad two years without celebration; no holiday, no employment, no income," remarks the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here from tourism and tourism had fallen to nothing."
The mayor acknowledges that the decision of resuming celebrations faced some controversy, as suffering continues in Gaza – which affects members of the small Christian population, who often have relatives in Bethlehem.
"Certain voices argue it's not appropriate and others say it is fitting," the mayor notes. "But deep inside my heart, I felt this constituted the correct action to do because Christmas must never be halted or abandoned. This represents the light of hope for us."
A Spark of Celebration Returns
Locals – both Christians and Muslims – pose for selfies in front of the tree hung with red and gold baubles in Manger Square. They are joined by a handful of foreign tourists.
Brightly coloured lights now adorn city streets and there are signs advertising holiday markets and children's parties.
"We are delighted to have the tree, first thing, and to see foreigners to Bethlehem and to have the chance to observe the holiday in its true spirit," says Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun.
"This place is where everything began, so this is where we can convey a message globally of what Christmas truly should be about. And now, if the season is calm, then I hope it will bring a positive message for the entire world."
Economic Prospects and Difficulties
Nearby towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to illuminate Christmas trees in the coming days. Hotels – which have stood mostly vacant for two years – have an influx of bookings from Palestinian citizens of Israel as well as certain international tourists.
One tourist from Russia, named Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to this region. "In my view everyone needs to come at minimum one time in their life," she states.
"I hope a lot of people will return soon because it's sad with few tourists. The sole aspect that is positive is you don't have long lines – you can come and experience more. When I came before you had to wait in a queue for hours minimum."
Currently, the souvenir stores dotted around Bethlehem have little business, and outside the cream-coloured walls of the Nativity Church, which originate from the 4th century, guides largely stand idle. Prior to the conflict, it was typically packed with visitors.
"This is a city for tourists; absent visitors there is no life," expresses one guide Hamza. "We hope to see individuals returning as in the past: from European nations, the Middle Eastern region, the Americas, Latin American and all over. We begin with the Christmas tree lighting, and then we will wait."
The Persistent Economic Impact
In the past two years, unemployment has skyrocketed within Bethlehem. Since the deadly Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel during October 2023 which triggered the conflict, tens of thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank region have been blocked from entering Israel and its settlements to work.
Meanwhile, government employees have been paid just a portion of their salaries from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers areas within the West Bank. The Authority depends on tax income collected by Israel, which it is currently holding – amounting to 1.76 billion dollars, according to the UN's trade and development agency.
Israeli officials state it is holding the funds due to the fact that the Authority provides financial payments to incarcerated Palestinians that incentivise violence against Israelis. The PA – facing international 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 Christian Palestinians, despite the fact that there are now public festivities in addition to religious ceremonies, it will constitute a subdued holiday season.
On the periphery of the square, some patrons are waiting to buy hot balls of falafel from a row of shops.
"We are getting ready for Christmas after one of our most challenging times as Palestinians and as Christians," says one restaurant owner, an owner of Afteem, a long-established family restaurant that has witnessed its revenues collapse. He says lately many families could not even afford 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 festive event or the theatre or similar, they lack the funds to spend on these celebrations."
Prayers for Calm and Recovery
In the cave-like grotto beneath the Nativity Church, a resident follows a small Indian tour group, bending down near a silver star that indicates the spot where it is said 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 wishing for visitors to return to the place which is thought to be where Christmas started.