Bethlehem, West Bank – The streets of Bethlehem are once again alive with the sound of drums, bagpipes, and brass as Christmas celebrations returned to the city’s iconic Manger Square. After a two-year hiatus due to ongoing conflicts in Gaza and the West Bank, Palestinians gathered to celebrate Christmas with a mixture of joy, resilience, and sorrow.

Palestinians Celebrate Christmas with Cultural Pride

Bethlehem’s scout troupes marched in pristine uniforms, singing traditional Christmas carols and performing Palestinian folk music, blending religious celebration with national identity. Visitors witnessed a unique display of faith and heritage as locals played bagpipes and drums throughout the narrow alleyways surrounding Manger Square.

Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the highest-ranking Catholic official in the region, attended the celebrations, offering a message of hope and resilience.

“Here in Bethlehem, from where I send the Christmas message to the world, I have noticed the presence of light,” Pizzaballa said. “We decided to be light, and the light of Bethlehem is the light of the world.”

The Shadow of Conflict

The festive atmosphere in Bethlehem was tempered by the reality of ongoing conflict. Christmas celebrations had been suspended in 2023 and 2024 in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, where thousands have been killed in military strikes. In the West Bank, Israeli military raids and settler attacks have continued, targeting Palestinian towns and even churches, leaving the local community scarred by grief.

Despite these hardships, a ceasefire in Gaza since October has provided a brief respite, allowing Bethlehem to host its first post-war Christmas festivities. However, Israeli checkpoints and raids still complicate the journeys of Palestinians traveling to the city.

A Mix of Joy and Sorrow

Approximately 1,500 people, including Palestinians and foreign visitors, attended the celebrations in Manger Square. For many, the occasion was a bittersweet reminder of ongoing struggles. George Zalloum, a Palestinian from East Jerusalem, described the emotions of the day:

“Today’s atmosphere is half joy and half sadness because we have brothers still dying in Gaza. We hope the war will end, peace will prevail, and these holidays will continue for all of Palestine.”

Hussam Zraiqat from Birzeit and Ghassan Rizqallah from Jifna echoed the difficulties faced on the way to Bethlehem, highlighting long waits at military checkpoints despite the short physical distances from their homes.

Christmas as a Symbol of Resilience

For Bethlehem’s mayor, Maher Canawati, the celebrations are more than a religious event—they are a symbol of steadfastness, hope, and the enduring Palestinian connection to their land.

“Bethlehem’s message today is one of steadfastness and hope for the people of the city, Gaza, and all of Palestine,” Canawati said. “The Palestinian people love life and peace, and they cannot be uprooted from their land and roots.”

Tourism Revival and Economic Significance

Bethlehem’s Christmas tourism is crucial for the city’s economy, especially after a prolonged decline due to conflict and the pandemic. Hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops experienced a surge in activity with the return of celebrations, though business remains below pre-war levels.

Elias al-Arja, head of the Palestinian Hotel Association, noted that hotel occupancy reached 80% over the festive period, welcoming around 8,000 visitors. Many tourists came from Europe, the United States, and neighboring regions, bringing hope for a gradual revival of Bethlehem’s tourism sector.

Local business owners like George Ejha and Jack Jaqman expressed cautious optimism, noting that while the return of celebrations is significant, more international tourists are needed to fully rejuvenate the city’s economy.

A Message of Hope for the Future

For many Palestinians and visitors, Bethlehem’s Christmas celebrations represent more than a religious tradition—they are a testament to resilience, unity, and cultural pride. Despite the ongoing conflict, checkpoints, and economic hardship, the people of Bethlehem continue to celebrate, honoring their faith and heritage while sending a message of hope to the world.

“Watching the scout bands and hearing the music takes us back to the beautiful past of our country and our heritage—we deserve to live in safety and peace,” said Ghassan Rizqallah.

Bethlehem’s Christmas celebrations are a symbol of perseverance, a celebration of life amid hardship, and a beacon for peace in the region.