On Sunday, the historic city of Bethlehem, revered as the birthplace of Jesus, stood eerily quiet as the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas led to the suspension of Christmas Eve festivities. The vibrant decorations and Christmas tree typically adorning Manger Square were notably absent, and the expected crowds of international visitors were nowhere to be seen, leaving the area patrolled by Palestinian security in an unusual silence.
The local gift shops, which would usually be bustling with holiday activity, hesitantly opened their doors after a downpour, but to a sparse number of patrons. Brother John Vinh, a Franciscan monk from Vietnam based in Jerusalem, lamented the stark atmosphere of the season, contrasting it with the joyful celebrations of previous years. He reflected on the somber nativity scene in the square, where the figure of baby Jesus was enveloped in a white shroud, evoking the tragedy of the conflict in Gaza.
At the Afteem Restaurant, a family-run establishment famed for its falafel and positioned near the square, owner Ala’a Salameh shared his decision to forego traditional decorations in light of the hardships faced in Gaza. He noted that Christmas Eve is typically the peak day for business, with the restaurant being packed from dawn until the late hours. Yet, this year, they saw only a fraction of their usual clientele, mainly journalists seeking shelter from the rain.
Salameh revealed that the restaurant was operating at a mere 15% of its usual capacity, unable to cover even its day-to-day expenses. He anticipated a long recovery period for tourism in Bethlehem, potentially taking a year to rebound post-conflict.
The cessation of Christmas events has dealt a heavy blow to Bethlehem’s economy, which relies on tourism for roughly 70% of its revenue, with the festive season being particularly critical. The travel restrictions have led to the shutdown of over 70 hotels, resulting in widespread unemployment.
The conflict has taken a devastating toll, with health officials reporting over 20,000 Palestinian casualties and more than 50,000 injuries due to Israel’s military response to Hamas’ aggression. The vast majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million inhabitants have been displaced amidst the hostilities, which erupted following a deadly attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7.
The repercussions of the Gaza conflict have extended to the West Bank, complicating access to Bethlehem and other Palestinian towns due to stringent security measures. These restrictions have also hindered tens of thousands of Palestinians from traveling to Israel for work, further exacerbating the economic strain.
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Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus, was unusually quiet on Christmas Eve due to the Israel-Hamas war. The festive decorations and tourists that typically fill Manger Square were absent, and Palestinian security forces patrolled the area instead. Local businesses, such as gift shops and restaurants, suffered from the lack of visitors and were operating at significantly reduced levels. The war’s impact on tourism was devastating for Bethlehem’s economy, which heavily relies on the Christmas season, as many hotels closed and people lost their jobs. The violence between Israel and Hamas resulted in a high number of casualties and displacement, particularly in Gaza, and also affected the West Bank, where movement restrictions hindered access to Bethlehem and other areas.
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