Hundreds gathered in Manger Square to bask in the festivities that included music, dancing and Santas bearing sweet treats.

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Lede

BETHLEHEM, West Bank — Bethlehem illuminated its Christmas tree for the first time since the Gaza war began, marking a subdued yet symbolic return of a cherished tradition in the biblical city long associated with peace. The ceremony, held Saturday evening in Manger Square under heavy security, brought together local families, clergy and community leaders who described the lighting as a gesture of resilience following more than a year of regional unrest, economic paralysis and loss.

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A Symbolic Return After a Year of Darkness

Saturday’s lighting ceremony marked the revival of an event that has traditionally drawn thousands of pilgrims from around the world. Last year, Bethlehem cancelled public celebrations and left its iconic tree unlit as a gesture of solidarity with Gaza and in recognition of widespread Palestinian grief.

Municipal officials said the decision to restore the lighting, even in a scaled-down format, was meant to signal continuity and collective healing. “We wanted to remind our people that light still exists, that hope is not extinguished,” Bethlehem Mayor Hanna Hanania said after the ceremony.

Crowds were smaller than in pre-war years, but those who attended said the moment carried exceptional emotional weight.

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Security Tight as City Balances Celebration With Caution

Heavy Presence, Controlled Crowds

Security was visibly heightened across Manger Square, where Palestinian Authority police and local volunteers directed foot traffic and erected temporary barriers. Officials said the measures were necessary given the volatile regional climate and periodic tensions across the West Bank.

Residents said they understood the caution. “This year is not about celebration as much as survival,” said Samar Awwad, a Bethlehem shopkeeper who has struggled with falling tourism. “But seeing the lights again gives us a breath of life.”

While no major incidents were reported, authorities maintained restrictions on travel from surrounding towns, citing safety concerns and limited crowd-control capacity.

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Church Leaders Emphasize Peace and Solidarity

Calls for Unity Amid Ongoing Conflict

Church leaders presided over the event, offering prayers for civilians affected by the Israel-Hamas war and urging the international community to support humanitarian relief. The Latin Patriarchate’s representative, Father Ibrahim Faltas, said the lighting symbolized “a prayer for peace in a land still burdened by loss.”

Clergy members also addressed the absence of international pilgrims, many of whom traditionally fill Bethlehem’s hotels during the Christmas season. Travel advisories and regional instability have sharply reduced tourism, a key source of local income.

“This light is for those who cannot be here with us,” said a representative of the Greek Orthodox Church. “And for those who suffer on all sides of this conflict.”

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Manger Square Businesses Still Facing Severe Economic Pressures

Tourism Decline Hits Local Economy

The Gaza war has devastated Bethlehem’s economy, which relies heavily on holiday travel and religious tourism. Officials estimate that the city has lost tens of millions of dollars in revenue since hostilities began. Shops near Manger Square report foot traffic down by more than 70% compared to the years before the conflict.

Souvenir vendor Issam Shomali said the tree lighting brought some relief but acknowledged the long-term challenges. “Even if the lights are on, the hotels are still empty,” he said. “We hope this small step brings back visitors next year.”

Cafés and restaurants that once stayed open late during the season now close earlier due to financial strain and security concerns.

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A Scaled-Down Ceremony With Deep Emotional Resonance

Muted Festivities, Strong Message

The ceremony itself was modest. Instead of live concerts, performers from the local conservatory offered quiet hymns. Traditional fireworks were cancelled. Decorations across the city remained limited to conserve municipal costs.

Still, attendees described the moment when the lights switched on as powerful. A soft cheer rose from the crowd as the towering evergreen glowed over the square, its bulbs reflected in windows of centuries-old stone buildings.

“For a moment, it felt like time paused,” said 24-year-old university student Mariam Nassar. “The world outside is still dangerous, but here we remembered who we are.”

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Political Undercurrents Surface but Do Not Dominate

PA Officials Urge International Action

Palestinian Authority officials, present at the ceremony, used brief remarks to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. While political messages were intentionally limited to preserve the event’s tone, leaders emphasized that Bethlehem’s symbolic act could not erase regional suffering.

“We celebrate with heavy hearts,” said a PA spokesperson. “We need a just resolution so that families across Palestine can one day celebrate freely.”

Residents said they appreciated the balance. “We needed this moment,” said teacher Laila Shaheen. “Not to forget the pain, but to gather strength.”

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Local Christians See Light as a Form of Resistance

Spiritual Resilience in a Troubled Land

Bethlehem’s Christian community, one of the oldest in the world, has faced shrinking numbers and rising emigration in recent decades. The conflict has accelerated these pressures, with some families considering relocation due to economic hardship.

Church leaders said the lighting ceremony served to reinforce community roots. “When we light this tree, we are saying: we belong here,” said Father Faltas. “This is not simply a holiday event. It is an affirmation of existence.”

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International Reactions Reflect Cautious Support

Global Leaders, Church Bodies Issue Statements

Diplomatic missions in the West Bank and several international Christian organizations issued statements welcoming Bethlehem’s decision to restore the tradition. Many framed the lighting as a call for peace across the region.

The Vatican released a short note praising the city’s “commitment to light in a time of darkness,” though Pope Francis did not address the event directly during his weekend remarks.

Humanitarian groups working in Gaza and the West Bank emphasized that symbolic actions are important but must be paired with sustained global engagement for civilian protection and recovery.

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A Look Ahead: Will Tourism Rebound?

Bethlehem officials say future tourism depends largely on regional stability. While they hope next year will bring pilgrims back, many acknowledge the uncertainty.

Municipal crews plan to keep the tree illuminated throughout the holiday season and will host small cultural events aimed at boosting local morale and encouraging domestic visitors.

Residents say they will continue to walk by the square in the coming weeks—not to celebrate extravagantly, but to reflect.

“For us,” said Awwad, the shopkeeper, “the light means we have not given up.”

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