🔗 Share this article The Holiday Tree Lights Up for the First Time After the Start of the Conflict For two years amid the Gaza war, all public celebrations for Christmas were called off within the city of Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This place is where the faithful hold Jesus was born. However, after a recent truce, the holy city determined that this year celebrations would make a comeback, as represented by the lighting of its traditional, giant Christmas tree before the historic Nativity Church. "We have endured a bad two years without celebration; no holiday, no employment, no work," remarks the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here from tourism and the tourist trade was down to zero." He accepts that the idea of resuming celebrations faced some controversy, as suffering continues in Gaza – including for those in its small Christian population, many of whom have family ties in Bethlehem. "Some may say it's not appropriate and others say it's appropriate," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I believed that this was the right thing to take because Christmas must never be halted or abandoned. This represents the light of hope for our community." A Spark of Festivity Reappears Locals – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – take photographs before the tree decorated with gold and red ornaments at Manger Square. They are accompanied by a handful of foreign tourists. Brightly coloured lights now decorate city streets and there are signs promoting holiday markets and festive events for children. "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 authentic spirit," comments local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun. "This place is where everything began, therefore here is where we can send the message to the world of what Christmas truly represents. And this year, if the season is calm, then I hope it will deliver a nice message for the entire world." Economic Hopes and Difficulties The neighbouring towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to light Christmas trees soon. Local hotels – which have stood largely empty for the past two years – have an influx in reservations from Arab citizens of Israel as well as some foreign visitors. One tourist from Russia, Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to this region. "I think every person should visit at least once in their life," she states. "I hope a lot of people will return soon as it is sorrowful with few tourists. The only thing that is positive is that there are no lengthy queues – you can come and see more things. When I came before you had to wait in line for hours minimum." Currently, the souvenir stores scattered throughout Bethlehem have little business, and outside the pale walls of the Church of the Nativity, which originate from the Fourth Century, tour guides largely stand idle. Before the Gaza war, it was often crammed with visitors. "Bethlehem is a city for tourists; absent visitors there is no life," laments one guide Hamza. "We aspire to see individuals returning like before: from European nations, the Middle Eastern region, the Americas, Latin American and all over. We begin with lighting the tree, and then we will wait." The Lingering Economic Toll In the past two years, unemployment has skyrocketed within Bethlehem. Following the lethal attacks led by Hamas in southern Israel in October 2023 which triggered the conflict, many thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank region have been blocked from entering Israel and Israeli settlements to work. At the same time, public servants have been paid just a portion of their wages by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers areas within the West Bank. The Authority relies on tax revenues gathered by Israel, which it is currently holding – amounting to 1.76 billion dollars, according to a UN agency. Israeli officials state they are retaining these funds because the Authority provides financial payments to Palestinian prisoners that encourage violence against Israelis. The PA – which has been under international pressure to make reforms – says it has recently changed its welfare system. A Modest Holiday The bleak economic outlook implies that for numerous Palestinian Christians, even though there are currently public festivities as well as religious services, it will be an austere Christmas. On the periphery of the square, some patrons are waiting to purchase sizzling balls of falafel from several shops. "We are getting ready for the holiday after one of our hardest periods as Palestinians and as Christians," says one restaurant owner, who runs a restaurant called Afteem, a decades-old family-run eatery that has witnessed its income plummet. He notes that recently many families could not even purchase falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food. "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 a show or whatever, he doesn't have the funds to expend for this celebration." Hopes for Peace and Prosperity Within the grotto beneath the Nativity Church, a resident accompanies a tour group from India, stooping down by a silver star that indicates the spot where tradition states that Jesus was born and igniting a light close by. With tensions still high throughout the area, Bethlehem residents state they are hoping for peace – and wishing for tourists to come back to the location which is thought to be Christmas began.
For two years amid the Gaza war, all public celebrations for Christmas were called off within the city of Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This place is where the faithful hold Jesus was born. However, after a recent truce, the holy city determined that this year celebrations would make a comeback, as represented by the lighting of its traditional, giant Christmas tree before the historic Nativity Church. "We have endured a bad two years without celebration; no holiday, no employment, no work," remarks the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here from tourism and the tourist trade was down to zero." He accepts that the idea of resuming celebrations faced some controversy, as suffering continues in Gaza – including for those in its small Christian population, many of whom have family ties in Bethlehem. "Some may say it's not appropriate and others say it's appropriate," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I believed that this was the right thing to take because Christmas must never be halted or abandoned. This represents the light of hope for our community." A Spark of Festivity Reappears Locals – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – take photographs before the tree decorated with gold and red ornaments at Manger Square. They are accompanied by a handful of foreign tourists. Brightly coloured lights now decorate city streets and there are signs promoting holiday markets and festive events for children. "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 authentic spirit," comments local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun. "This place is where everything began, therefore here is where we can send the message to the world of what Christmas truly represents. And this year, if the season is calm, then I hope it will deliver a nice message for the entire world." Economic Hopes and Difficulties The neighbouring towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to light Christmas trees soon. Local hotels – which have stood largely empty for the past two years – have an influx in reservations from Arab citizens of Israel as well as some foreign visitors. One tourist from Russia, Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to this region. "I think every person should visit at least once in their life," she states. "I hope a lot of people will return soon as it is sorrowful with few tourists. The only thing that is positive is that there are no lengthy queues – you can come and see more things. When I came before you had to wait in line for hours minimum." Currently, the souvenir stores scattered throughout Bethlehem have little business, and outside the pale walls of the Church of the Nativity, which originate from the Fourth Century, tour guides largely stand idle. Before the Gaza war, it was often crammed with visitors. "Bethlehem is a city for tourists; absent visitors there is no life," laments one guide Hamza. "We aspire to see individuals returning like before: from European nations, the Middle Eastern region, the Americas, Latin American and all over. We begin with lighting the tree, and then we will wait." The Lingering Economic Toll In the past two years, unemployment has skyrocketed within Bethlehem. Following the lethal attacks led by Hamas in southern Israel in October 2023 which triggered the conflict, many thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank region have been blocked from entering Israel and Israeli settlements to work. At the same time, public servants have been paid just a portion of their wages by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers areas within the West Bank. The Authority relies on tax revenues gathered by Israel, which it is currently holding – amounting to 1.76 billion dollars, according to a UN agency. Israeli officials state they are retaining these funds because the Authority provides financial payments to Palestinian prisoners that encourage violence against Israelis. The PA – which has been under international pressure to make reforms – says it has recently changed its welfare system. A Modest Holiday The bleak economic outlook implies that for numerous Palestinian Christians, even though there are currently public festivities as well as religious services, it will be an austere Christmas. On the periphery of the square, some patrons are waiting to purchase sizzling balls of falafel from several shops. "We are getting ready for the holiday after one of our hardest periods as Palestinians and as Christians," says one restaurant owner, who runs a restaurant called Afteem, a decades-old family-run eatery that has witnessed its income plummet. He notes that recently many families could not even purchase falafel – an inexpensive, traditional food. "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 a show or whatever, he doesn't have the funds to expend for this celebration." Hopes for Peace and Prosperity Within the grotto beneath the Nativity Church, a resident accompanies a tour group from India, stooping down by a silver star that indicates the spot where tradition states that Jesus was born and igniting a light close by. With tensions still high throughout the area, Bethlehem residents state they are hoping for peace – and wishing for tourists to come back to the location which is thought to be Christmas began.