A giant Christmas tree adorned with red and gold baubles stands in the West Bank city of Bethlehem for the first time since 2022. Source: ABC News.
The Palestinian city, revered by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus, had refrained from public Christmas celebrations over the past two years as war raged in Gaza.
But as a precarious ceasefire in Gaza enters its second month, the city held a ceremony on Saturday night, lighting up the 20-metre tree at the edge of Manger Square.
Thousands of Palestinians from across the West Bank and Israel filled the square, erupting in cheers when the tree’s lights were turned on shortly before 8pm.
“We came to celebrate, watch and enjoy because for several years we haven’t had the chance,” Randa Bsoul, a 67-year-old Palestinian from Haifa in Israel, said.
Although Gaza is about 60 kilometres from Bethlehem, the war has affected Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Many have family and friends in Gaza, and the war has shrivelled the tourism that Bethlehem’s economy relies on.
“As Bethlehem lights its Christmas tree, the deep anguish endured by our people in Gaza does not leave our hearts,” Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati told reporters this week.
“The wound of Gaza is our wound, the people of Gaza are our people, and the light of Christmas has no meaning unless it first touches the hearts of the afflicted and the oppressed all over Palestine.”
In Bethlehem, Palestinians said they were hopeful that Saturday’s ceremony would bring some joy for those suffering in Gaza.
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Palestinians in West Bank’s Bethlehem hold first Christmas tree lighting ceremony since 2022 (ABC News)
