The Christmas Tree Illuminates for the First Time After the Start of the Conflict
Throughout a two-year period amid the conflict in Gaza, every festive public event marking the holiday season were cancelled within the city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. This place is where Christians believe Jesus was born.
But, after a recent truce, this sacred city determined that now celebrations would return, as represented by the illumination of its customary, giant Christmas tree before the historic Nativity Church.
"We have endured two difficult years without celebration; no Christmas, no employment, no income," states Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati. "We're all living here from tourism and tourism was down to zero."
He accepts that the idea of resuming celebrations was not without debate, as suffering continues in Gaza – which affects those in its tiny Christian community, many of whom have family ties to Bethlehem.
"Some may say it's not appropriate and others say it is fitting," Mr Canawati explains. "However, in my heart, I believed this constituted the right thing to take since Christmas must never be stopped or cancelled. This is a beacon of hope for us."
A Glimmer of Festivity Reappears
Locals – from both Christian and Muslim faiths – pose for selfies before the tree decorated with red and gold baubles in Manger Square. They are joined by a handful of international visitors.
Brightly coloured lights now adorn the streets and there are signs advertising Christmas bazaars and festive events for children.
"We're very happy to have the tree, first thing, and to welcome visitors in Bethlehem and to have the chance to celebrate Christmas in its true spirit," comments Bethlehem designer Nadya Hazboun.
"This place is where everything began, so this is where we can convey the message to the world of what really Christmas represents. And this year, if the season is calm, I sincerely hope it will deliver a nice message for the whole world."
Economic Hopes and Challenges
The neighbouring towns of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour are also planning to illuminate Christmas trees soon. Hotels – which have stood mostly vacant for the past two years – have an influx in reservations from Palestinian citizens of Israel as well as certain international tourists.
One tourist from Russia, Angelica, is on her second pilgrimage to the Holy Land. "I think every person should visit at least once in their life," she states.
"I wish a lot of people will return soon because it's sad without many tourists. The sole aspect that is positive is that there are no long lines – one can visit and see more things. On my prior visit you had to wait in a queue for hours at least."
Currently, the gift shops scattered throughout Bethlehem experience scant trade, and near the cream-coloured walls of the Nativity Church, which originate from the 4th century, guides are mostly unoccupied. Prior to the conflict, it was typically packed with people.
"This is a city for tourists; absent visitors there is no life," expresses a guide named Hamza. "We aspire to see individuals returning as in the past: from Europe, the Middle Eastern region, the Americas, Latin America and everywhere. We begin with lighting the tree, and we'll wait."
The Lingering Economic Impact
Over the last two years, joblessness has soared within Bethlehem. Following the deadly attacks led by Hamas in southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the conflict, many thousands of Palestinian workers from the West Bank have been prevented from entering Israel and Israeli settlements for work.
Meanwhile, public servants have received just a portion of their salaries from the Palestinian Authority (PA) – that administers parts of the West Bank. The PA relies on tax income collected by Israel, which it is withholding – amounting to 1.76 billion dollars, as reported by the UN's trade and development agency.
Israel says it is holding the funds due to the fact that the Authority provides financial payments to Palestinian prisoners that encourage violence against Israelis. The PA – which has been under international pressure to make reforms – claims it has lately modified its social welfare system.
An Austere Holiday
The bleak economic situation means that for numerous Palestinian Christians, despite the fact that there are currently public festivities in addition to religious ceremonies, it will be an austere Christmas.
At the edge of Manger Square, a few customers wait to buy hot balls of falafel from a row of shops.
"We are getting ready for Christmas following one of our hardest periods as a Palestinian people and as a Christian community," says Alaa Salameh, an owner of a restaurant called Afteem, a decades-old family-run eatery which has seen its revenues collapse. He notes lately numerous families could not even afford falafel – a cheap, traditional snack.
"Christians will try to celebrate but based on their situation," Mr Salameh anticipates. "Someone who wants to take his kids to a festival or the theatre or whatever, he doesn't have the funds to spend on these celebrations."
Prayers for Peace and Prosperity
Within the grotto beneath the church, a local woman follows a small Indian tour group, bending down near a silver star that indicates the location where tradition states that Jesus was born and igniting a candle nearby.
With tensions still high throughout the area, people in Bethlehem say they are hoping for tranquility – and hoping for tourists to come back to the location which is thought to be where Christmas started.