Bethlehem Lights Christmas Tree for First Time Since Gaza War
Bethlehem Lights Christmas Tree for First Time Since Gaza War
Bethlehem came alive with Christmas cheer on Saturday as the city lit its Christmas tree for the first time since the Gaza war erupted more than two years ago. The moment, held in Manger Square beside the Church of the Nativity, drew thousands of visitors despite cloudy skies and intermittent rain.
The ceremony lasted two hours before the tree’s lights finally came on, triggering loud cheers across the square. It marked Bethlehem’s first major Christmas celebration since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 and the devastating conflict that followed.
Security was tight. A Palestinian K9 officer inspected decorations as crowds filled the area. Nearby, a man dressed as Santa sold balloons to excited children while vendors reopened their shops after a long, quiet period.
For many, the tree lighting carried deep emotional weight. Abeer Shtaya, 27, travelled from Salfit and described the event as a symbol of resilience. Shop owner Mike Shahen said the celebration sent a message of calm to the world, even as regional tensions continue.
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The crowd was diverse. Christians and Muslims stood side by side. Families watched from balconies. Nuns looked on from the rooftops. Visitors arrived from across the Palestinian territories, Israel and overseas.
Some had not witnessed a Christmas celebration in Bethlehem for years. Liyu Lu, 50, who came from northern Israel, said the moment felt emotional after “two years of nothing but war and death.”
Bethlehem has spent the past two Christmas seasons in silence. Pilgrimage numbers dropped sharply, and only small groups have recently begun to return. According to Terra Dei director Fabien Safar, more bookings are coming in for 2026, with hopes of a fuller recovery by 2027. He cautioned, however, that uncertainty remains because the war in Gaza still has no declared end.
Tourism is the heartbeat of Bethlehem’s economy. Local businesses say the past two years have been devastating. Travel within the West Bank has also become harder since 2023, with long lines at Israeli checkpoints and rising violence adding to the strain.
This year’s celebration unfolded during a fragile truce between Israel and Hamas that began in October. Sporadic confrontations continue across the West Bank, but for one night, Bethlehem’s Christmas tree offered a rare moment of light and hope in a region still struggling to find peace.
Content Credit: Blessing Dada
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