Bethlehem Rekindles Christmas Spirit After Two-Year Hiatus

After several difficult years, the tourism-dependent town of Bethlehem—the West Bank town where Jesus was born—is now lit up with Christmas lights for the first time in two years. This resurgence is attributed to the peace and stability fostered by President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace initiatives.

Separated from Israel by extensive security barriers, Bethlehem has long been challenging for tourists to access. The city relies heavily on religious tourism, particularly pilgrimages to the Church of the Nativity, traditionally recognized as Jesus’ birthplace.

Historically, Bethlehem attracted approximately 3 million visitors annually, contributing up to 90% of its economic income. However, the COVID-19 pandemic drastically reduced tourist numbers to near zero in 2020 and 2021 due to global travel restrictions and border closures. Tourism partially recovered to about 1.5 million visitors by September 2023 but plummeted following Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel.

Bethlehem’s tourism figures reportedly declined to near zero during the Christmas season of 2023 and fell below 100,000 for the entire year of 2024. This all changed in early 2025 due to President Trump’s 20-point plan aimed at resolving the Israel-Hamas conflict, which was signed in October of this year.

The historic agreement has facilitated the release of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas and established a continuing cease-fire. It enjoys broad support, including from the Palestinian Authority—a critical element for Bethlehem’s security and stability.

As a result, local business owners have noted an increase in tourist safety perceptions, with one recently stating that “tourists finally feel safe to return.” This has enabled the first public Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem since 2022, featuring the lighting of a large tree in Manger Square and the singing of carols.

This Christmas season saw thousands of visitors from across the West Bank and Israel, alongside a small number traveling internationally. However, tourism numbers remain approximately 20% of pre-pandemic levels and are not expected to fully rebound until at least 2027, assuming regional peace endures.

Bethlehem continues to face significant challenges, including the fragile nature of the Gaza cease-fire and recent Israeli military operations in the West Bank. The plan’s success hinges on Hamas’ compliance with disarmament demands, which has yet to materialize. U.S. and Arab allies remain committed to safeguarding the agreement and advancing it.

Despite these uncertainties, President Trump’s efforts have brought renewed hope for peace in the Middle East—and Christmas back to Bethlehem this year.