Bethlehem Christmas tree lit up for first time since Israel's genocidal war on Gaza

AFP , Sunday 7 Dec 2025

Christmas cheer returned to the traditional birthplace of Jesus Christ on Saturday as Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank lit up a tree for the first time since the Israeli war on Gaza began over two years ago.

Spectators gather on Nativity Square during a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Bethlehem, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. AFP

Covered in red and gold baubles, the Christmas tree standing metres away from the Church of the Nativity on Manger Square has become a symbol of hope.

At the end of a two-hour ceremony, the tree was illuminated to cheers, its yellow lights twinkling and a bright red star on top shining against the clouded night sky irradiated by a luminescent, almost full moon.

It is the first time the city has held the usual celebrations since the outbreak of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023.

"It's like a symbol for resilience," said 27-year-old Abeer Shtaya, who works at Al-Zaytoonah University of Science and Technology in Salfit in the West Bank.

She had travelled 100 kilometres (60 miles) with a group of the university's students because "we want to celebrate and be with our brothers and sisters in Bethlehem to enjoy this day".

"It's a message for the world that it's calm," Mike Shahen, 43, said at his ceramic store on the square, after a handful of visitors came in for purchases.

Thousands of people attended, including Christians and Muslims, and many who travelled from Palestinian territories -- some from even further afield -- to enjoy the festive spirit return.

Nuns could be seen watching from one roof, while many families, including small children, filled balconies and roofs to catch a glimpse of the tree lit up.

Sounds of laughter filled the air as many could not help but smile despite moments of rain.

For the past two years, Bethlehem has celebrated Christmas in a more sombre manner, with no major public festivities due to Israel's atrocities in Gaza.

Christian pilgrims, especially from Asia, South America and Eastern Europe, have, however, slowly returned in the past few months.

Since the start of Israel's war on Gaza, it is more difficult to travel around the occupied West Bank with long queues on the roads with Israeli military checkpoints.

Terrorist settlers' violence and Israeli army assaults on the West Bank have also surged since the Gaza war. It has not stopped despite the fragile truce between Israel and Hamas that began this October.

* This story has been edited by Ahram Online.