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The scene of a baby in the manger that billions around the world are familiar with has not made its appearance in the city that Christian tradition believes it took place in for 2 years.
The municipality of the city of Bethlehem has been essentially forced to back out of any Christmas celebrations in 2023 and 2024 in response to the war in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis occurring in the area.
WaL has published extensively covering the war in Gaza, and its ramifications in the region and around the world.
One of the effects of the war has been on tourism in Bethlehem, a significant contributor to the city’s overall revenue. However, Israel controls the checkpoints into the West Bank during times of peace; negotiating these checkpoints is essentially just a quick ordeal to continue on one’s travels.
During times of war, however, these checkpoints become extremely time-consuming and difficult to navigate, ultimately affecting tourism, as many would rather avoid the hassle of crossing a border. Though city officials did not state this as a reason for canceling their Christmas celebrations, and instead pointed to standing in solidarity with the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, one cannot think that the security checkpoints between Israel and the West Bank did not factor in the decision-making at all.
No tourists, No money
With no celebrations, the city lost over a million visitors who came to observe the holiday and spend money. 70% of the city’s yearly revenue comes from tourism during Christmas time, as religious pilgrims visit the city.
Though the majority of modern Bethlehem is Muslim, the city relies on Christian tourism revenue that helps local businesses like hotels and others. Much of the money helps fund projects and public services like schools across the entirety of the West Bank.
During the siege on Gaza and the cancellation of Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem, unemployment jumped from 14% to 65%. This resulted in some 4,000 people leaving Bethlehem in search of work elsewhere
No financial figures have ever been revealed on how much exactly Bethlehem gains during peak holiday travel. However, it is widely reported that before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and the war in Gaza in 2023, hotels in the area reported maximum occupancy in both 2018 and 2019. Hence, the harsh ramifications of cancelling Christmas celebrations two years in a row.
The resurrection of Christmas
It’s likely that the tourism revenues collected during December for the city are in the high millions and possibly in the hundreds of millions. The celebrations returning to the city will be a huge relief for those in the West Bank as many people get hired to help cater to the millions of pilgrims to the birthplace of Christ, and overall help heal a community of people who have had to live through war and a failing economy.
Though we may not have the figures for this year’s return of visitors, the Manger Square has reportedly been filled with tourists once again. With a Christmas market and bright twinkling lights shining over the visitors. The bounce back of tourism in the city, which many believe to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, has started. Almost as if it has been resurrected. WaL
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PICTURED ABOVE: Nativity Square in Bethlehem. PC: CC 4.0. Int.
