Bethlehem Christmas/ Gaza conflict/ tourism impact/ West Bank violence/ Palestinian economy/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Bethlehem, the historic birthplace of Jesus, is preparing for another muted Christmas as the war in Gaza continues to cast a pall over the festivities. Missing are the usual decorations, tourists, and marching bands, with the town’s economy deeply affected by plummeting tourism. Amid ongoing violence in the West Bank and severe restrictions on movement, Bethlehem’s message remains one of peace and hope, even as unemployment soars and the region struggles with economic and humanitarian challenges.
Bethlehem’s Subdued Christmas Celebrations: Quick Looks
- Absent Festivities: Manger Square lacks its usual decorations, tree, and lively marching bands.
- Tourism Crisis: Bethlehem’s tourism-dependent economy faces significant losses, with visitors down from 2 million in 2019 to fewer than 100,000 in 2024.
- Regional Violence: The war in Gaza and heightened West Bank tensions have led to increased violence and severe economic restrictions.
- Economic Hardship: Unemployment in Bethlehem exceeds 50%, worsened by tightened movement restrictions and reduced work permits.
- Christian Population: A minority in the region, Christians continue to uphold Bethlehem’s message of peace despite challenges.
Bethlehem Faces Another Quiet Christmas Amid Gaza Conflict
Deep Look
Bethlehem, a beacon of spiritual significance as the birthplace of Jesus Christ, faces a second subdued Christmas under the shadow of the ongoing Gaza war. Normally a hub of festive activity during the holiday season, the town in the occupied West Bank appears somber and quiet this year. The usual cheer has been replaced by muted preparations and economic anxiety as conflict deters visitors and disrupts local livelihoods.
Traditionally, Manger Square glimmers with festive lights, dominated by a towering Christmas tree, while throngs of international pilgrims and tourists fill the streets to celebrate. However, this year, the square remains unadorned. Absent too are the youth marching bands, an annual tradition marking the holiday spirit. Security barricades now frame the area around the Nativity Church, where tradition holds Jesus was born, as workers clean up the eerily quiet streets.
Bethlehem Mayor Anton Salman expressed a desire to uphold the town’s enduring message of peace and hope. Yet, he emphasized that the ongoing suffering of Palestinians, amplified by the Gaza conflict, requires urgent global attention. “Always the message of Bethlehem is peace and hope,” Salman said, while calling for an end to the hardships faced by Palestinians.
The war’s impact on Bethlehem’s economy has been devastating. Tourism, a lifeline that constitutes roughly 70% of the town’s income, has sharply declined. Unemployment in Bethlehem has soared to over 50%, far exceeding the already high West Bank average of 30%, according to official estimates.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Bethlehem welcomed around 2 million annual visitors. That number has plummeted to fewer than 100,000 in 2024, says Jiries Qumsiyeh, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Tourism Ministry. The region’s Christians, who form a small minority of the Holy Land’s 14 million inhabitants, are especially affected. There are approximately 182,000 Christians in Israel, 50,000 in the West Bank and Jerusalem, and a dwindling 1,300 in Gaza.
In addition to the economic toll, the Gaza war has fueled violence across the West Bank. More than 800 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since October, while militant attacks have claimed dozens of Israeli lives. Bethlehem has faced tighter movement restrictions, with Israeli military checkpoints creating long lines and curtailing the mobility of residents. Work permits for approximately 150,000 Palestinians have been revoked, contributing to a 25% contraction in the West Bank’s economy.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is dire, with over 45,000 Palestinian deaths reported since the war began in October, according to local health officials. An overwhelming majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced, with women and children comprising more than half of the casualties.
The conflict began on October 7, when Hamas-led militants launched an assault on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and taking more than 250 hostages.
Bethlehem’s resilience in the face of adversity continues to echo its timeless message of peace, though the challenges faced by its residents and the wider Palestinian population underscore the urgent need for a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
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