🔗 Share this article The Christmas Tree Illuminates for the First Time Since the Start of the Conflict Throughout a two-year period amid the conflict in Gaza, all public celebrations for Christmas were called off in Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This city is where the faithful hold the birth of Jesus occurred. But, following the recent ceasefire, this sacred city determined that now the festivities would make a comeback, as represented by the lighting of its traditional, giant Christmas tree before the ancient Church of the Nativity. "We have endured two difficult years of silence; no holiday, no jobs, no work," remarks the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here from tourism and tourism had fallen to nothing." He acknowledges that the decision to restart festivities faced some debate, as suffering continues in Gaza – which affects members of the tiny Christian community, who often have relatives to Bethlehem. "Certain voices argue it is unsuitable while others contend it's appropriate," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I believed that this was the right thing to do since the Christmas season must never be halted or abandoned. This represents the light of hope for us." A Glimmer of Celebration Returns Locals – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – pose for selfies before the tree decorated with gold and red ornaments in Manger Square. They are joined by a small number of international visitors. Brightly coloured lights now adorn the streets with signs promoting holiday markets and festive events for children. "We are delighted to see the tree, first thing, and to welcome visitors in Bethlehem and to have the chance to observe the holiday in its true spirit," says local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun. "This place is where everything began, therefore here is where we can convey a message to the world about what Christmas truly represents. And now, if the season is calm, I sincerely hope it will deliver a nice message for the entire world." Economic Prospects and Difficulties Nearby towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to light holiday trees in the coming days. Hotels – which have stood largely empty for two years – have an influx in reservations from Arab citizens of Israel along with certain international tourists. One tourist from Russia, named Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "I think every person should visit at least once in their life," she says. "I wish many visitors will return soon because it's sad with few tourists. The only thing that's good is that there are no long lines – one can visit and see more things. When I came before it was necessary to wait in line for a few hours minimum." For now, the gift shops dotted around the city have little business, and outside the cream-coloured walls of the Nativity Church, which originate from the Fourth Century, guides largely stand idle. Prior to the Gaza war, it was typically packed with people. "This is a tourist city; without tourism there is no livelihood," expresses one guide Hamza. "We hope to have people returning as in the past: from European nations, the Middle Eastern region, America, Latin American and everywhere. We start with the Christmas tree lighting, and we'll wait." The Lingering Economic Toll Over the last two years, joblessness has soared within Bethlehem. Following the deadly Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel in October 2023 which triggered the war, many thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank have been blocked from entering Israel and its settlements for work. At the same time, public servants have been paid only partial salaries from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs parts of the West Bank. The Authority relies on tax revenues collected by Israel, which it is withholding – amounting to $1.76 billion, as reported by a UN agency. Israel says it is holding the funds because the Authority provides payments to incarcerated Palestinians that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The PA – facing global pressure to make reforms – claims it has recently changed its welfare system. An Austere Holiday The grim economic outlook means that for many Christian Palestinians, even though there are currently public events as well as religious ceremonies, it will be a subdued holiday season. At the edge of the square, a few customers wait to buy sizzling balls of falafel from a row of shops. "We are getting ready for the holiday after one of our hardest periods as a Palestinian people and as Christians," states one restaurant owner, an owner of Afteem, a decades-old family-run eatery that has witnessed its revenues collapse. He says that recently numerous families could not even afford falafel – a cheap, traditional snack. "The faithful will attempt to mark the occasion but according to their situation," Mr Salameh expects. "An individual wishing to take his kids to a festive event or a show or similar, he doesn't have the funds to expend on these celebrations." Hopes for Peace and Prosperity Within the grotto at the base of the Nativity Church, a local woman accompanies a small Indian tour group, bending down by a silver star which marks the spot where tradition states Jesus was born and igniting a light nearby. With tensions still high across the region, people in Bethlehem state they are praying for peace – and hoping for tourists to come back to the location where it is believed Christmas began.
Throughout a two-year period amid the conflict in Gaza, all public celebrations for Christmas were called off in Bethlehem located in the West Bank. This city is where the faithful hold the birth of Jesus occurred. But, following the recent ceasefire, this sacred city determined that now the festivities would make a comeback, as represented by the lighting of its traditional, giant Christmas tree before the ancient Church of the Nativity. "We have endured two difficult years of silence; no holiday, no jobs, no work," remarks the city's mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here from tourism and tourism had fallen to nothing." He acknowledges that the decision to restart festivities faced some debate, as suffering continues in Gaza – which affects members of the tiny Christian community, who often have relatives to Bethlehem. "Certain voices argue it is unsuitable while others contend it's appropriate," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I believed that this was the right thing to do since the Christmas season must never be halted or abandoned. This represents the light of hope for us." A Glimmer of Celebration Returns Locals – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – pose for selfies before the tree decorated with gold and red ornaments in Manger Square. They are joined by a small number of international visitors. Brightly coloured lights now adorn the streets with signs promoting holiday markets and festive events for children. "We are delighted to see the tree, first thing, and to welcome visitors in Bethlehem and to have the chance to observe the holiday in its true spirit," says local jewellery designer Nadya Hazboun. "This place is where everything began, therefore here is where we can convey a message to the world about what Christmas truly represents. And now, if the season is calm, I sincerely hope it will deliver a nice message for the entire world." Economic Prospects and Difficulties Nearby towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour also intend to light holiday trees in the coming days. Hotels – which have stood largely empty for two years – have an influx in reservations from Arab citizens of Israel along with certain international tourists. One tourist from Russia, named Angelica, is making her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "I think every person should visit at least once in their life," she says. "I wish many visitors will return soon because it's sad with few tourists. The only thing that's good is that there are no long lines – one can visit and see more things. When I came before it was necessary to wait in line for a few hours minimum." For now, the gift shops dotted around the city have little business, and outside the cream-coloured walls of the Nativity Church, which originate from the Fourth Century, guides largely stand idle. Prior to the Gaza war, it was typically packed with people. "This is a tourist city; without tourism there is no livelihood," expresses one guide Hamza. "We hope to have people returning as in the past: from European nations, the Middle Eastern region, America, Latin American and everywhere. We start with the Christmas tree lighting, and we'll wait." The Lingering Economic Toll Over the last two years, joblessness has soared within Bethlehem. Following the deadly Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel in October 2023 which triggered the war, many thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank have been blocked from entering Israel and its settlements for work. At the same time, public servants have been paid only partial salaries from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – which governs parts of the West Bank. The Authority relies on tax revenues collected by Israel, which it is withholding – amounting to $1.76 billion, as reported by a UN agency. Israel says it is holding the funds because the Authority provides payments to incarcerated Palestinians that incentivise attacks on Israelis. The PA – facing global pressure to make reforms – claims it has recently changed its welfare system. An Austere Holiday The grim economic outlook means that for many Christian Palestinians, even though there are currently public events as well as religious ceremonies, it will be a subdued holiday season. At the edge of the square, a few customers wait to buy sizzling balls of falafel from a row of shops. "We are getting ready for the holiday after one of our hardest periods as a Palestinian people and as Christians," states one restaurant owner, an owner of Afteem, a decades-old family-run eatery that has witnessed its revenues collapse. He says that recently numerous families could not even afford falafel – a cheap, traditional snack. "The faithful will attempt to mark the occasion but according to their situation," Mr Salameh expects. "An individual wishing to take his kids to a festive event or a show or similar, he doesn't have the funds to expend on these celebrations." Hopes for Peace and Prosperity Within the grotto at the base of the Nativity Church, a local woman accompanies a small Indian tour group, bending down by a silver star which marks the spot where tradition states Jesus was born and igniting a light nearby. With tensions still high across the region, people in Bethlehem state they are praying for peace – and hoping for tourists to come back to the location where it is believed Christmas began.