Bethlehem Revives Christmas Celebrations Amidst Post-War Recovery
In Bethlehem, located in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Christmas celebrations have resumed after a two-year hiatus due to the war in Gaza. The city, traditionally known as the birthplace of Jesus, is witnessing a cautious return to normalcy as a shaky ceasefire holds in Gaza. The local economy, heavily reliant on tourism and religious pilgrimages, suffered significantly during the conflict, with unemployment rates soaring from 14% to 65%. The recent lighting of a Christmas tree in Manger Square, attended by locals and a few tourists, symbolizes a hopeful step towards peace and economic recovery. Bethlehem's Mayor, Maher Nicola Canawati, emphasized the importance of reigniting the spirit of Christmas to send a message of hope and resilience to the world. 
