BETHLEHEM, Palestinian Territories – Christmas cheer returned to the traditional birthplace of Jesus Christ on Saturday as Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, lit up a Christmas tree for the first time since the war in Gaza began more than two years ago.
The ceremony marked the end of a two-year hiatus in celebrations that began after Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, bringing hope back to a city whose economy depends almost entirely on tourism.
Covered in red and gold baubles, the Christmas tree standing meters away from the Church of the Nativity on Manger Square, drew thousands of attendees, including Christians and Muslims from Palestinian territories, Israel and beyond. At the end of a two-hour ceremony, the tree’s yellow lights twinkled to cheers, with a bright red star on top shining against the clouded night sky.
“It’s like a symbol for resilience,” said Abeer Shtaya (27) who works at Al-Zaytoonah University of Science and Technology in Salfit. She traveled 100km with university students because “we want to celebrate and be with our brothers and sisters in Bethlehem to enjoy this day.”
Mike Shahen (43) who operates a ceramic store on the square, described the celebration as “a message for the world that it’s calm” after serving his first customers in months.
The festive atmosphere was palpable as families with small children filled balconies and rooftops to catch a glimpse of the illuminated tree. Nuns watched from rooftops while sounds of laughter filled the air despite intermittent rain.
Covered in red and gold baubles, the Bethlehem Christmas tree, standing meters away from the Church of the Nativity on Manger Square, drew thousands of attendees, including Christians and Muslims from Palestinian territories, Israel and beyond. PHOTO: AFP
For some visitors, the ceremony carried deep emotional significance after years of conflict.
“This event didn’t happen for the last two years because of the war and it’s quite emotional after two years of nothing but war and death,” said Liyu Lu (50) who travelled from northern Israel near the Lebanese border. Originally from China but living in Israel for decades, she was accompanied by Gary Lau, a Christian businessman staying in Jerusalem.
“Being here, with the festivities, is something very nice and special,” said Lau (51), adding he was “taking in the atmosphere.”
Christian pilgrims, particularly from Asia, South America and Eastern Europe, have slowly returned in recent months. Fabien Safar, guide and director of Terra Dei, which organizes Holy Land pilgrimages, expects small groups for Christmas this year with some 2026 bookings already made.
WATCH:
Watch as the Bethlehem Christmas tree is illuminated for the first time in two years. VIDEO: AFP
Safar anticipates a real recovery in 2027, “but this obviously depends on how the situation evolves” in Gaza and Lebanon. Despite a November 2024 ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel has continued strikes on Lebanon.
Pilgrims “remain afraid because there’s no official end to the war” in Gaza, Safar noted, adding concerns about Lebanon’s situation.
The conflict has devastated Bethlehem’s tourism-dependent economy, which had just recovered from COVID-19 impacts in 2022 before the Gaza war erupted.
“COVID was bad but nothing like the last two years,” Shahen said from his ceramic store.
Travel challenges compound the difficulties. Israeli military checkpoints create long queues throughout the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967. Violence in the region has surged since the Gaza war began and continues despite the fragile truce between Israel and Hamas that started in October.
Many visitors, including musician Lu, spent hours travelling to reach Bethlehem. She woke at 06:00 for a 07:00 bus with a large group, arriving at 12:30 without incident.