Christmas this year has taken on a particularly somber tone for Palestinians in Bethlehem, the city revered as the birthplace of Jesus Christ. With the war continuing unabated across the border in Gaza, festive decorations have been stripped away for the second consecutive year, leaving the streets largely void of the joy and vibrancy typically associated with the holiday season.
This year, as Christians and Muslims alike mark Christmas, the absence of tourists and the deep scars of conflict have turned what is traditionally a time of celebration and unity for the community instead to one of reflection and grief. The local economy, which relies heavily on tourism, has suffered immensely due to the restrictions and the violence. Jiries Qumsiyeh, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Tourism Ministry, lamented the drastic drop from almost 2 million visitors pre-COVID to fewer than 100,000 this past year.
At the Church of the Nativity, attendance at Christmas services was modest. Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric, expressed regret, telling the gathering, "This has to be the last Christmas which is so sad," as he spoke to hundreds gathered around the usually vibrant Manger Square, now filled with shuttered shops and empty streets.
On this occasion, the typical Christmas cheer was muted. Palestinian scouts did not march triumphantly through the streets, but instead silently honored the season, the festive lights and grand Christmas tree firmly absent. Security forces were stationed around the revered site, setting up barriers to control access amid the heightened tensions between communities.
Mayor Anton Salman of Bethlehem conveyed the city's mourning, remarking, "Bethlehem's message is clear; from the birthplace of Christ, we call on the world to act, end the suffering and bring peace to a land still yearning for justice." These sentiments underline the significant toll the conflict has taken on Bethlehem, where international visitors usually come to celebrate.
Christmas festivities have been canceled this year, illustrating the harsh reality for many Palestinians who are living under the shadow of war. Restrictions imposed by military checkpoints and the ensuing violence have made it nearly impossible for local residents and tourists alike to access Bethlehem, as more than 800 Palestinians have reportedly died due to Israeli operations since the war began.
Najla Tarazi, displaced from her home, reflected the prevailing mood of despair, stating, "We hope by next year at the same day we’d be able to celebrate Christmas at our homes and go to Bethlehem. We don’t feel happy." Her words echo the frustration and sadness felt broadly across the city.
The haunting absence of visitors has compounded the hardships faced by many families, with the tourism sector—the lifeblood of Bethlehem’s economy—suffering tremendously. The COVID-19 pandemic had already inflicted severe damage, but the current conflict has aggravated pre-existing vulnerabilities.
While Bethlehem's past celebrations included the jubilance of pilgrims converging on the sacred grounds, this year saw empty pews and quiet streets. Christian and Muslim Palestinians alike unite, sharing the burden of loss and reflecting on the need for peace as they aspire for brighter days.
Overall, this year's Christmas observances were marked by painful reminders of struggle and resilience, as residents cling to hope amid the chaos. The shadows cast by the war affect not only Bethlehem and Gaza but echo throughout the entire region. Hence, Christmas 2024 remains anything but typical; instead, it stands as a powerful encapsulation of hardship and longing for stability and peace.
People may find connection elsewhere, as seen with the revitalization efforts at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, where large crowds are gathering once more to celebrate traditional Christian festivities without worry of conflict. Yet, contrastingly, the stories from Bethlehem reflect isolation and sorrow.
With uncertainties looming as the conflict rages on, Bethlehem's call for peace remains poignant; it is echoed not only among church leaders but also among the communities at large. This Christmas, it is more than just the absence of festive flourishes—it’s the palpable absence of hope and the yearning for normalcy and joy, aspects of life for which the city has long been known.
