Hundreds flock to see Bethlehem Christmas tree lit up for first time since start of Gaza war
(6 Dec 2025) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ++NIGHT SHOTS++ ASSOCIATED PRESS Bethlehem, West Bank - 6 December 2025 1. Various of Christmas tree being lit in Bethlehem Manger Square 2. Various of people near Christmas tree 3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Elias Shoufani, resident of lower Galilee: ++PARTLY OVERLAID WITH SHOTS 1-3++ "This is a new hope for life — a different feeling after a two-year pause caused by the difficulties that happened. We hope it will be a step toward peace, a step of love among all peoples, with nothing separating us from this beautiful feeling. And we hope that every coming year will." 4. Wide of Christmas tree 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Maher Canawati, Mayor of Bethlehem: “This year we have reignited the spirit of Christmas and we are sending messages of hope for the locals so they can continue going and also from Bethlehem to all other Palestinian cities, including Gaza, and from there to the entire world to send that message that we want peace, we want life. We are so much in need for this peace so we can continue living in our cities and in Palestine.” 6. Push in on star on Christmas tree STORYLINE: Hundreds of people packed Manger Square in Bethlehem on Saturday for the lighting of a Christmas tree. The tradition is usually annual but was paused for the last two years due to the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. The event took place just in front of the Church of the Nativity, which is built on the site where Christians believe Jesus was born. Crowds cheered as the giant tree was illuminated. Christmas celebrations are a crucial economic engine in Bethlehem, and many residents in the West Bank city were left reeling by the recent conflict. Businesses shuttered and unemployment and poverty soared. Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati said he hoped the return of Christmas traditions would "give people hope." Christians make up a small minority of Palestinians and Bethlehem is one of the only cities in the West Bank and Gaza where Christmas is really felt. Revellers and worshippers alike will pack the same square for Christmas Eve festivities later this month. AP video by Imad Isseid =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected]. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
