Bethlehem, in the West Bank, a holy land believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, lit its large Christmas tree for the first time since 2022 after suspending celebrations for two years due to the Gaza conflict. This lighting took place amid a ceasefire, with thousands of Palestinians gathering to seek "hope" and peace after enduring the pain of war.
On the night of Saturday, 6 Dec 2023 GMT+7, Bethlehem in the West Bank held a ceremony to light a giant 20-meter Christmas tree decorated with red and gold balls. The event was held at Manger Square, a significant Christian religious site.
This Christmas tree lighting marks the first public celebration in Bethlehem in three years, after all activities were suspended due to intense warfare in the Gaza Strip.
Thousands of Palestinians from across the West Bank and Israel gathered at the square, cheering loudly as the tree lights were illuminated.
Although Gaza is about 60 kilometers from Bethlehem, the war that began in October 2023, after Hamas attacked Israel, has heavily impacted Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Beyond family and friends in Gaza, Bethlehem’s economy, heavily reliant on tourism, has suffered severely. A souvenir vendor said the past two years "felt like hell" due to worsening economic conditions and increased Israeli restrictions on Palestinian movement in the West Bank, including new military checkpoints.
Bethlehem Mayor Maher Kanawati told reporters, "As Bethlehem lights the Christmas tree, the deep suffering endured by our people in Gaza has never left our hearts."
He added, "The wounds of Gaza are our wounds; the people in Gaza are our people. The Christmas light means nothing unless it touches the hearts of those suffering and oppressed throughout Palestine first."
Palestinians in Bethlehem hope that Christmas and the New Year will bring peace after two years of hardship. They said, "We are looking for hope" and wish for peace to replace conflict going forward.
To reflect the ongoing uncertainty, no fireworks were set off during the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, unlike before the war. This was a symbol of sympathy for the uncertain future.