In the famous city of the West Bank, Christmas celebrations resume after several years marked by the pandemic and then by war. Despite the restrictions, the separation wall, closures, declining tourism, and concerns for Gaza, residents and officials agree to make these festivities a symbol of solidarity and resilience.
IA Index: Library of Mediterranean Knowledge
In Bethlehem, Christmas reignites the light of hope
22-med – December 2025
• Bethlehem revives Christmas celebrations despite restrictions, war, and the collapse of tourism.
• Residents and authorities transform the holiday into a message of peace, solidarity, and resilience for Palestine.
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Restoring Christmas festivities carries a message of hope. As the songs resonate once again, residents gather in Manger Square around the lights of the tree that has been erected again. The return of small groups of visitors, still far from the crowds of the past, nonetheless brings a rare breath of fresh air after years of uncertainty. This timid resurgence does not erase the pressures imposed by the separation wall, nor the constant threat of isolation and the limitations on the number of pilgrims and tourists in Bethlehem. But it affirms the will to preserve a daily life of joy and faith, and to show the world that this symbolic city never ceases to carry the light of Christmas.
A celebration rediscovered despite pressures
This year's events, limited to religious ceremonies, gather clergy and faithful in Manger Square. A stage set up for the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree marks the beginning of a season that everyone hopes will bring spiritual and political momentum. Local choirs perform religious hymns in front of thousands of Palestinians expressing their joy.
For Father Issa Thaljieh of the Greek Orthodox Church, “Celebrating Christmas is an act of faith that calls us to remember the oppressed and to work for them.” He adds, “We pray especially for our people in Gaza. From the birthplace of Jesus — the messenger of justice, peace, and human dignity — we call on the world to stop the war and end the injustice.”
He also explains that for the clergy, this Christmas is one of solidarity for “those who have lost loved ones, those who are detained, and those whose homes no longer shelter them from the winter cold. Even if the picture remains bleak, the light of the tree and the small groups of foreign visitors joining the faithful are a glimmer of hope for the people of Bethlehem.”
A city mobilized to stay alive
Bethlehem resembles a hive. Clergy, municipality, police, presidential commission for ecclesiastical affairs, and civil organizations prepare events reflecting unity and hope: lighting of the tree, Christmas markets offering sweets, decorations, lights, and Palestinian crafts related to the holiday, everything is done to restore the magic of Christmas.
Mayor Maher Qawawti states that the message of Christmas — “Arise and shine, for your light has come” — carries a humanitarian and national call amidst the harsh living conditions faced by Palestinians, especially in Gaza. “The true light of Christmas is incomplete if it does not reach the hearts of the suffering,” he confides, reminding that Bethlehem remains “a city of life and peace” despite its wounds. He calls on visitors from around the world to come, believing that their mere presence constitutes “an act of solidarity.”
Tourism: a pillar to rebuild
The city's economy heavily depends on tourism, which has been greatly impacted in recent years. Palestinian Tourism Minister Hani Hayek indicates that this sector is “one of the main pillars of the national economy, providing thousands of jobs and offering the world a direct window into life under occupation.” He goes on to discuss the Israeli military operations in Gaza that have destroyed 264 archaeological sites and, obviously, completely halted activity on the ground. “However, the first half of 2025 shows signs of recovery, fragile but notable.”
Palestinian authorities hope that Christmas will mark the beginning of a restart in tourism activity, particularly in Bethlehem. Despite many hotels still closed and reduced commercial activity, they are calling on Palestinians — especially those living in Israel — to come support their economy.
An economy sustained by hope
The economic decline, linked to closures and the collapse of tourism, puts the city under tension. Merchants and artisans assert that hope, more than income, allows Bethlehem to endure. In the family workshop, young artisan Jiris Jedun states that “tourism has been almost frozen for over two years. This year's Christmas celebrations are not like before,” he observes. “But we hope it will be a year of joy — and that tourism will return. It’s vital for our economy.”
Dr. Samir Hazboun, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasizes that Bethlehem remains “safe, stable, and a spiritual and tourist center — the heart of the Christian world. Its doors must not remain closed. We have organized daily trips from Palestinian communities in Israel until December 31 to stimulate local movement.”
“I came from Nazareth to spend Christmas in Bethlehem,” confides Rula Qubti, one of the first returning tourists. “It’s a bit complicated with the distances and the many checkpoints to get here, but I want to believe in a better future. I want to celebrate Christmas without fear, without barriers, and one day, reach Bethlehem easily.”
Even though the hotel occupancy rate currently only reaches 20%, the first buses arrive with groups from Nazareth coming to visit the markets and the Church of the Nativity. A fragile start to recovery, but one that brings hope.
Featured photo: Thousands of Palestinians participate in the lighting ceremony of the Christmas tree in Manger Square in Bethlehem © Jad Jadou