Christmas festivities have made a sombre return to the biblical city of Bethlehem this year, following a two-year hiatus observed in solidarity with the war in Gaza. The traditional tree-lighting in Manger Square and the arrival of some pilgrims offered a fragile glimpse of hope, yet the atmosphere remains heavily shadowed by the ongoing Israeli occupation, regional violence, and profound economic hardship.
A City of Contrasts: Celebration Tempered by Conflict
For the first time since 2023, the roughly 8,000 to 9,000 Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem revived public Christmas celebrations. An estimated 1,500 people, including locals and foreign visitors, attended events on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Crowds gathered in Manger Square and morning mass was held at the Church of the Nativity.
However, Deputy Mayor Lucy Geries Talgieh described a city grappling with deep contradictions. "Any joy and celebrations are tempered by ongoing conflict, economic hardship, and security concerns," she stated. "Walking through the streets of Bethlehem now feels familiar and deeply charged with emotion... The underlying mood is sober and grounded in realities of our people’s daily challenges."
Talgieh emphasised that the war in Gaza and tensions across the Israeli-occupied West Bank are never far from people's thoughts, creating a pervasive "sense of collective grief and connectedness."
The Harsh Reality of Life Under Occupation
The fragile celebrations occurred against a backdrop of sustained violence and economic collapse. Just days before Christmas, Israeli forces killed a 16-year-old Palestinian, Ammar Ta’amra, during a military raid on Tuqu' village, southeast of Bethlehem.
This incident is part of a devastating wider trend. Data from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reveals a surge in attacks by Israeli extremist settlers, which reached a record high of 271 attacks in October 2025 alone—approximately eight per day.
More broadly, statistics from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights show that from October 7, 2023, to November 13, 2025, Israeli security forces and settlers killed at least 1,017 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Among the dead were 221 children. This figure excludes Palestinians who died in Israeli detention. During the same period, 59 Israelis were killed in Palestinian attacks or armed clashes.
Economic Desperation and a Hope for Tourism
Beyond the symbolism, Bethlehem's residents are desperately hoping the fragile ceasefire in Gaza will lead to a meaningful return of tourists, the city's economic lifeblood. Riham Jafari of ActionAid Palestine, a lifelong Bethlehem resident, explained the severe economic impact.
"Life is now difficult," Jafari said. "Bethlehem... depends on tourism. This situation has changed after two years of war... Many residents lost their source of income, whether it is tourism, hotels, souvenir shops, and from restaurants." She added that many who used to work in Israel have also lost their livelihoods since the war began.
The revival of Christmas, therefore, represents more than a religious observance; it is a tentative step towards economic survival for a community living under occupation, clinging to tradition amidst immense loss and uncertainty.
