Christmas events return to Bethlehem after two years of Gaza war
Families filled John Juka’s long-quiet restaurant on Saturday evening, marking a dramatic shift from the past two years when Bethlehem’s streets sat dark, shuttered, and silent. Strings of red lights now glow across the city, reflecting a slow but meaningful return of Christmas traditions to the historic birthplace of Jesus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. After years of upheaval following the Gaza war, residents say the renewed festivities offer a fragile but welcome sign of relief and resilience. Juka, who watched his family’s restaurant sit empty through two holiday seasons, described the moment simply: “It’s not like it was before the war, but it feels like life is coming back again.”
Bethlehem’s identity and livelihood are deeply tied to tourism, with the majority of its residents depending on pilgrims and visitors to keep the local economy moving. When the war erupted after the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023, the crucial flow of tourists vanished, major Christmas celebrations were canceled, and economic hardship rippled throughout the West Bank. Unemployment soared, thousands left in search of work, and a United Nations assessment described the region as facing its worst economic downturn on record. Bethlehem’s mayor said the city’s decision to revive Christmas celebrations this year is meant to restore both economic opportunity and collective hope, a message he believes reflects the community’s commitment to life and peace.
On Saturday, families gathered beside the towering tree in Manger Square as children climbed onto their parents’ shoulders and crowds erupted into cheers after a prayer for peace. For longtime business owners like the Juka family, the return of visitors—though still limited—feels like a turning point after years of doubt. Some tourists began returning in late summer as ceasefire talks gained momentum, and hotel bookings are expected to reach roughly 70 percent occupancy for Christmas, the highest since the war began. Still, the celebration remains far smaller than in years past, with most attendees being local residents rather than international pilgrims.
Tension, however, still hangs over the wider West Bank. Violence, military raids, and settler attacks have intensified in recent months, casting a shadow over holiday events. Travel across the territory has become increasingly difficult, with checkpoints turning short trips into day-long journeys. One resident, Issa Montas, described leaving his home in Ramallah and spending six hours navigating the region’s restrictions just to reach Bethlehem. He expressed frustration over ongoing violence but said even he felt a measure of cautious optimism as music, laughter, and the energy of children filled the square. For him and many others, the revived Christmas celebration represents more than a holiday tradition—it is a rare moment of unity. “This Christmas is for everyone,” he said.
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