“Without work and hope”: Bethlehem’s Christmas economy bleeding from the Gaza war | The Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Bethlehem, occupied West Bank – The city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, considered the birthplace of Jesus, is usually packed with thousands of pilgrims and tourists in December.

A giant Christmas tree, parades and religious ceremonies usually open the season’s celebrations in Manger Square. But this year, none of these things happened due to the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, and due to economic difficulties.

The streets and squares of Bethlehem are largely empty, Israeli forces have closed roads leading to the city, and several towns in the area have been subjected to violent raids by armed Israeli soldiers.

Churches across Palestine announced the cancellation of all Christmas celebrations as an expression of unity with Gaza, and activities were limited to services and prayers.

All of this has affected Christmas tourism, which was only revived last year after a two-year hiatus due to health and travel restrictions linked to the coronavirus pandemic.

Bethlehem usually receives up to 1.5 million tourists annually, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Culture.

Local businesses have particularly struggled over the past few years, including Jack Issa Jaqman, a sculpture and antique shop.

The 52-year-old has been making wooden statues and sculptures related to Jesus Christ since he was a teenager, just like his father and grandfather before him. Jaqman told Al Jazeera that he believes the history of the workshop goes back about 200 years.

He considers “traditional craftsmanship a family heirloom.” Working with olive wood, creating intricate designs and durable pieces, is something the family takes great pride in.

Jaqman said that this profession and craft in particular confirm the extent of the Palestinian people’s attachment to their homeland.

The wood comes from olive trees, which are an important symbol of Palestinians’ connection to their land. It takes many years to care for, plant and harvest olive trees.

Jaqman said that workers inside the facility work tirelessly every year to make and sell the pieces.

He added that they are working like a “bee hive” in preparation for the Christmas season, which reaches its peak during October, November and December.

But the “strike” came early this year, on October 7, in the wake of Hamas attacks. Jaqman said that the events that occurred quickly after that caused the tourists to disappear from the town in the south of the West Bank.

“We have already had to lay off nine employees,” he said.

“It is impossible to be happy.”

Sellers like Jakman have suffered “setbacks” due to “quarantines and Covid measures” in recent years, causing the economy to decline, he said.

He added that they were hoping for a “prosperous season” during the holiday season this year.

He said he believes that what is happening in the West Bank amounts to “collective punishment,” which is unprecedented. He added that it threatens the existence of hotels, companies and the entire tourism sector in Bethlehem.

Rula Maayah, Palestinian Minister of Tourism, said that the tourism sector suffered huge losses as a result of the Israeli aggression on Gaza.

Maayah said that this year’s losses are expected to reach $200 million. According to her, at least 60% of the losses directly affect Bethlehem.

Maaya said people from all over the world, including the United States, Russia, Romania, Poland, Italy, Spain and India, will visit the city every year.

Maayah said that while the world celebrates Christmas, Bethlehem is “sad, silent, in pain, and completely besieged.”

She added: “No one can reach it or leave it, as its people are without work and without hope as a result of the disruption of tourism, which is the backbone of its economy.”

Even the heads of religious institutions in Bethlehem talk about the importance of canceling celebrations this year.

The pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Munther Ishaq, said that “it is impossible to rejoice” this year when there is “a genocidal war against our people in Gaza.”

He told Al Jazeera: “Every year we put a Christmas tree in this place, but this year we receive Christmas without a tree and without lights.”

Isaac said the church decided that this year’s Christmas nativity scene would reflect the “painful reality” of children living in Palestine today.

He added that this is why the symbolic baby Jesus was placed in a manger of rubble and destruction, “as a message of solidarity with those suffering in Gaza.”

He added: “If Christ was born today, he would have been born under the rubble” amid the Israeli attacks.

Ishaq said he hopes the spectacle will tell the world about Palestine’s need for “justice” and the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Issa Thaljieh, the 40-year-old Greek Orthodox parish priest of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, agrees with him in this opinion, who said that canceling Christmas celebrations in solidarity with the people of Gaza sends a “clear message to the world.”

“We see children, women and the elderly being killed amid widespread destruction. It is difficult to remain silent about what is happening,” Thaljiya said.

He said the church hopes to “open the eyes and conscience” of people around the world so they can “see” the Palestinian people who seek to live without occupation.

Thaljiya said that the “occupation crimes” stripped the Palestinians of their joy.

Since October 7, more than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed in the besieged Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, at least 275 Palestinians, including 63 children, were killed by Israeli forces or armed settlers in the West Bank.

Thousands of others were arrested in almost daily raids on towns and villages across the West Bank.