Christmas returned to Bethlehem on Saturday as the city lit its Christmas tree for the first time since the Gaza war erupted more than two years ago. The towering tree, adorned with red and gold baubles, stood illuminated near the Church of the Nativity in Manger Square, drawing thousands of residents, pilgrims, and visitors.
After a two-hour ceremony, the tree’s yellow lights flickered to life, capped by a glowing red star that shone against a cloudy night sky lit by a nearly full moon. The celebration marked the city’s first major Christmas event since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 triggered the devastating conflict.
Many attendees described the moment as a symbol of hope and resilience. “It’s like a symbol for resilience,” said 27-year-old Abeer Shtaya, who travelled about 100 kilometres from Salfit with university students to witness the event. Shop owner Mike Shahen echoed the sentiment, saying the ceremony sent a message that “it’s calm”.
Christians and Muslims stood side by side, filling balconies, rooftops, and the square despite light rain. Nuns watched from nearby buildings, while families with children gathered to take in the scene. For many, the celebration carried deep emotion after two years marked by violence and loss.
“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 50-year-old Liyu Lu, who travelled from northern Israel near the Lebanon border.
Tour guides say a small number of Christian pilgrims from Asia, South America, and Eastern Europe have begun returning to Bethlehem in recent months. Some groups have booked visits for 2026, though full recovery may take years and remains dependent on the security situation in Gaza and along the Israel-Lebanon border.
Bethlehem’s tourism-dependent economy has struggled since the 2023 escalation, following only a brief recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. Long travel delays caused by Israeli checkpoints, increased West Bank violence, and lingering fears over renewed fighting have further dampened visitor numbers.
Many visitors who attended Saturday’s celebration spent hours on the road. Musician Lu, who travelled from northern Israel, said her group left at 7 a.m. and arrived shortly after midday without difficulty.
Despite a ceasefire in November 2024, uncertainty persists, and pilgrims remain cautious. Bethlehem, occupied by Israel since 1967, has seen a surge in violence over the past two years that continues despite the fragile truce between Israel and Hamas.
Still, for a night, the city reclaimed its festive spirit, with laughter and light returning to one of Christianity’s holiest places.
AFP
