Bethlehem, West Bank – After a two-year hiatus, Christmas celebrations returned to Bethlehem on Christmas Eve, bringing thousands of local residents together in Manger Square for public festivities. The return of celebrations marks the first major public gathering since 2022, a period during which the city muted or cancelled festivities out of respect for the tens of thousands killed during Israel’s war on Gaza.

Families filled the plaza as a giant Christmas tree was reinstated, replacing the nativity display used during wartime that depicted baby Jesus amid rubble and barbed wire, a poignant symbol of Gaza’s devastation.

Religious Leaders Lead the Celebration

The festivities were led by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Catholic leader in the Holy Land, who arrived in Bethlehem from Jerusalem in the traditional procession. The cardinal called for “a Christmas full of light,” highlighting hope and resilience amid ongoing conflict.

Scout bands from towns across the West Bank marched through the streets of Bethlehem, their bagpipes draped with tartan and Palestinian flags, reviving long-standing traditions that had been paused during the war.

Ongoing Conflict and Security Challenges

Despite the festive atmosphere, Palestinians continue to face the effects of daily Israeli raids across the West Bank. These operations have included mass arrests, home demolitions, road closures, and restrictions on movement, which have severely affected the tourism sector—critical to Bethlehem’s economy.

Mayor Maher Nicola Canawati reported that unemployment in Bethlehem surged from 14 percent to 65 percent during the conflict, prompting roughly 4,000 residents to leave the city in search of work.

The return of Christmas festivities comes amidst continued Israeli military incursions and attacks by Israeli settlers, which have reached record levels since the United Nations began tracking settler violence in 2006. These attacks have involved killings, beatings, and the destruction of Palestinian property, often under military protection.

Religious Site Tensions

Earlier on Wednesday, over 570 Israeli settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem under police protection. Palestinians assert that such incursions violate the longstanding status quo at Islam’s third-holiest site.

Meanwhile, Israel’s security cabinet approved plans to formalize 19 illegal settlements across the West Bank. Palestinian officials condemned the move as part of a decades-long strategy of land appropriation and demographic manipulation.

International reactions have been strong. The United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and multiple other nations released a joint statement calling on Israel to reverse the decision, citing violations of international law and the risk of escalating instability in the region.

“We recall that such unilateral actions, as part of a wider intensification of settlement policies in the West Bank, not only violate international law but also risk fuelling instability,” the statement read.

Christmas Amid Conflict

For Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem, the return of Christmas celebrations represents resilience and hope despite the challenges of occupation, raids, and economic hardship. The city’s Manger Square, traditionally the site of global pilgrimages, once again became a focal point for faith, community, and cultural identity.

“Even in the midst of occupation and adversity, our faith and traditions endure,” said a local resident. “This Christmas reminds us of hope and continuity for future generations.”

The celebrations in Bethlehem highlight the stark contrast between festive joy and the ongoing struggle for Palestinian rights in the occupied West Bank, offering a glimpse of normalcy amid a long-standing conflict.