Overview
- Thousands of Palestinians from across the West Bank and Israel gathered for the subdued event, which featured hymns, prayers and a moment of silence with no fireworks.
- Mayor Maher Canawati said the lighting carries Bethlehem’s grief for Gaza, echoing appeals for compassion as the Gaza death toll reported by local health authorities surpassed 70,000.
- The city’s tourism-dependent economy has been crushed by two years of war and movement limits, with the Chamber of Commerce citing a roughly 90% drop in visitors and losses of about $1.5 million per day.
- Officials report early signs of recovery as November visitor numbers improved and hotel bookings point to roughly 70% occupancy over Christmas, though foreign tourism remains muted.
- The celebration unfolded during a fragile Gaza ceasefire now in its second month, with tightened West Bank checkpoints, raids and displacement still constraining access and dampening a full rebound.