🔗 Share this article The Holiday Tree Lights Up for the First Time After the Start of the Conflict For two years during the Gaza war, all public celebrations for Christmas were cancelled within the city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This place is believed to be where Christians believe Jesus was born. But, after a recent truce, the holy city determined that now the festivities would return, as symbolised by the lighting of its customary, large holiday tree in front of the ancient Church of the Nativity. "It's been a bad two years without celebration; no holiday, no jobs, no work," remarks Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives on tourism and tourism had fallen to nothing." He accepts that the idea to restart festivities was not without controversy, as suffering continues within Gaza – which affects those in its tiny Christian community, who often have family ties to Bethlehem. "Certain voices argue it is unsuitable while others contend it is fitting," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I felt this constituted the right thing to do since Christmas must never be stopped or cancelled. This represents a beacon of hope for our community." A Glimmer of Festivity Returns 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 accompanied by a handful of foreign tourists. Vibrant lights now adorn city streets with signs promoting holiday markets and festive events for children. "We're very happy to have the tree, first of all, and to see foreigners in Bethlehem and to have the chance to observe the holiday in its authentic spirit," comments local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun. "This is where it all started, therefore here is where we can send the message to the world of what Christmas truly represents. And this year, if Christmas is peaceful, then I hope it will bring a positive message for the entire world." Economic Prospects and Difficulties The neighbouring towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to illuminate Christmas trees soon. Local hotels – which have stood largely empty for the past two years – are seeing a rise of bookings from Palestinian citizens of Israel along with some foreign visitors. A visitor from Russia, Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to this region. "I think every person should visit 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 lengthy queues – you can come and see more things. When I came before you had to wait in a queue for hours minimum." Currently, the gift shops scattered throughout Bethlehem experience scant trade, and outside the pale walls of the Nativity Church, which originate from the Fourth Century, tour guides largely stand idle. Before the conflict, it was typically packed with people. "Bethlehem is a tourist city; without tourism there is no livelihood," laments a guide named Hamza. "We hope to see individuals returning as in the past: from Europe, the Middle East, America, Latin America 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. Since the lethal Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the conflict, many thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank region have been blocked from entering Israel and Israeli settlements to work. Meanwhile, public servants have received just a portion of their wages by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers areas within the West Bank. The PA depends on tax revenues collected by Israel, which it is currently holding – to the tune of 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 incarcerated Palestinians that encourage attacks on Israelis. The PA – facing global pressure to enact reforms – claims it has lately modified its welfare system. A Modest Holiday The bleak economic situation implies that for numerous Palestinian Christians, despite the fact that there are now public events as well as religious services, it will constitute an austere Christmas. On the periphery of Manger Square, a few customers are waiting to purchase hot balls of falafel from several shops. "We are getting ready for the holiday after one of our most challenging times as a Palestinian people and as a Christian community," states Alaa Salameh, who runs Afteem, a decades-old family restaurant which has seen its revenues collapse. He says lately numerous families could not even purchase falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food. "The faithful will attempt to mark the occasion but according to their circumstances," Mr Salameh expects. "An individual wishing to bring their children to a festival or a show or similar, they lack the funds to spend on these celebrations." Hopes for Calm and Recovery Within the 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 spot where tradition states Jesus was born and igniting a light nearby. With tensions still high across the region, Bethlehem residents state they are hoping for peace – and hoping for visitors to return to the location where it is believed Christmas began.
For two years during the Gaza war, all public celebrations for Christmas were cancelled within the city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This place is believed to be where Christians believe Jesus was born. But, after a recent truce, the holy city determined that now the festivities would return, as symbolised by the lighting of its customary, large holiday tree in front of the ancient Church of the Nativity. "It's been a bad two years without celebration; no holiday, no jobs, no work," remarks Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives on tourism and tourism had fallen to nothing." He accepts that the idea to restart festivities was not without controversy, as suffering continues within Gaza – which affects those in its tiny Christian community, who often have family ties to Bethlehem. "Certain voices argue it is unsuitable while others contend it is fitting," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I felt this constituted the right thing to do since Christmas must never be stopped or cancelled. This represents a beacon of hope for our community." A Glimmer of Festivity Returns 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 accompanied by a handful of foreign tourists. Vibrant lights now adorn city streets with signs promoting holiday markets and festive events for children. "We're very happy to have the tree, first of all, and to see foreigners in Bethlehem and to have the chance to observe the holiday in its authentic spirit," comments local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun. "This is where it all started, therefore here is where we can send the message to the world of what Christmas truly represents. And this year, if Christmas is peaceful, then I hope it will bring a positive message for the entire world." Economic Prospects and Difficulties The neighbouring towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to illuminate Christmas trees soon. Local hotels – which have stood largely empty for the past two years – are seeing a rise of bookings from Palestinian citizens of Israel along with some foreign visitors. A visitor from Russia, Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to this region. "I think every person should visit 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 lengthy queues – you can come and see more things. When I came before you had to wait in a queue for hours minimum." Currently, the gift shops scattered throughout Bethlehem experience scant trade, and outside the pale walls of the Nativity Church, which originate from the Fourth Century, tour guides largely stand idle. Before the conflict, it was typically packed with people. "Bethlehem is a tourist city; without tourism there is no livelihood," laments a guide named Hamza. "We hope to see individuals returning as in the past: from Europe, the Middle East, America, Latin America 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. Since the lethal Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the conflict, many thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank region have been blocked from entering Israel and Israeli settlements to work. Meanwhile, public servants have received just a portion of their wages by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers areas within the West Bank. The PA depends on tax revenues collected by Israel, which it is currently holding – to the tune of 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 incarcerated Palestinians that encourage attacks on Israelis. The PA – facing global pressure to enact reforms – claims it has lately modified its welfare system. A Modest Holiday The bleak economic situation implies that for numerous Palestinian Christians, despite the fact that there are now public events as well as religious services, it will constitute an austere Christmas. On the periphery of Manger Square, a few customers are waiting to purchase hot balls of falafel from several shops. "We are getting ready for the holiday after one of our most challenging times as a Palestinian people and as a Christian community," states Alaa Salameh, who runs Afteem, a decades-old family restaurant which has seen its revenues collapse. He says lately numerous families could not even purchase falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food. "The faithful will attempt to mark the occasion but according to their circumstances," Mr Salameh expects. "An individual wishing to bring their children to a festival or a show or similar, they lack the funds to spend on these celebrations." Hopes for Calm and Recovery Within the 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 spot where tradition states Jesus was born and igniting a light nearby. With tensions still high across the region, Bethlehem residents state they are hoping for peace – and hoping for visitors to return to the location where it is believed Christmas began.