The Christmas Tree Lighting Illuminates for the First Time Since the Start of the Conflict
For two years amid the conflict in Gaza, every festive public event marking the holiday season were cancelled in Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This place is believed to be where the faithful hold Jesus was born.
But, after a recent truce, this sacred city decided that this year the festivities would make a comeback, as represented by the lighting of its customary, giant Christmas tree before the historic Nativity Church.
"It's been a bad two years without celebration; no Christmas, no employment, no work," remarks the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "Our community survives from tourism and the tourist trade had fallen to zero."
The mayor acknowledges that the idea to restart festivities faced some debate, as suffering continues within Gaza – which affects members of the small Christian population, many of whom have relatives in Bethlehem.
"Certain voices argue it's not appropriate while others contend it is fitting," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I believed that this was the right thing to do because the Christmas season must never be stopped or cancelled. This is a beacon of hope for our community."
A Glimmer of Festivity Returns
Locals – both Christians and Muslims – pose for selfies before the tree decorated with gold and red ornaments in Manger Square. They are joined by a small number of foreign tourists.
Vibrant lights now decorate the streets with signs advertising Christmas bazaars and children's parties.
"We're very happy to have the tree, first thing, and to see foreigners in Bethlehem and to be able to observe the holiday in its true spirit," comments local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun.
"This is where it all started, so this is where we can convey a message globally about what Christmas truly represents. And now, if Christmas is peaceful, I sincerely hope it will deliver a positive message for the entire world."
Economic Prospects and Challenges
Nearby towns including Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to light holiday trees soon. Local hotels – which have remained mostly vacant for the past two years – have an influx of bookings from Arab citizens of Israel along with certain international tourists.
A visitor from Russia, named Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "In my view everyone needs to come at minimum one time during their lifetime," she says.
"I hope a lot of people will return soon because it's sad with few tourists. The sole aspect that's good is you don't have lengthy queues – one can visit and experience more. When I came before it was necessary to wait in line for hours at least."
Currently, the souvenir stores scattered throughout the city experience scant trade, and outside the pale walls of the Nativity Church, which originate from the Fourth Century, tour guides are mostly unoccupied. Before the Gaza war, it was often crammed with visitors.
"This is a tourist city; without tourism there is no life," laments a guide named Hamza. "We aspire to see individuals coming back like before: from European nations, the Middle Eastern region, America, Latin American and all over. We begin with lighting the tree, and we'll wait."
The Lingering Economic Impact
Over the last two years, joblessness has soared in Bethlehem. Following the lethal attacks led by Hamas in southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the war, many thousands of Palestinian labourers from the West Bank region have been blocked from entering Israel and its settlements for work.
Meanwhile, public servants have been paid just a portion of their salaries by the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers areas within the West Bank. The PA depends on tax revenues collected by Israel, which it is withholding – amounting to $1.76 billion, according to 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 PA – which has been under international pressure to make reforms – says it has recently changed its welfare system.
A Modest Christmas Season
The grim economic situation means that for numerous Christian Palestinians, despite the fact that there are now public festivities as well as religious services, it will constitute an austere Christmas.
At the edge of Manger Square, some patrons are waiting to buy sizzling 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," states one restaurant owner, an owner of Afteem, a decades-old family restaurant which has seen its income plummet. He notes lately numerous families could not even afford falafel – a cheap, traditional snack.
"Christians will try to mark the occasion but according to their circumstances," Mr Salameh expects. "An individual wishing to take his kids to a festive event or the theatre or whatever, they lack the funds to spend on these celebrations."
Hopes for Peace and Prosperity
Within the grotto beneath the church, a resident follows a small Indian tour group, stooping down near a silver star which marks the spot where it is said that Jesus was born and igniting a light nearby.
Amid ongoing high tensions across the region, Bethlehem residents state they are hoping for tranquility – and wishing for visitors to return to the location where it is believed Christmas began.