SHOTLIST

BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK, PALESTINE (NOV. 26, 2025) (ANADOLU-ACCESS ALL)

1. TRUCK PARKED NEXT TO GIANT CHRISTMAS TREE AT MANGER SQUARE

2. VARIOUS OF PARTLY DECORATED CHRISTMAS TREE

3. VARIOUS OF CHRISTMAS TREE AS MUNICIPAL WORKERS DECORATE IT OUTSIDE THE CHURCH OF NATIVITY

4. (SOUNDBITE) DEPUTY MAYOR OF BETHLEHEM, LUCY TALGIEH, SAYING:

“The Bethlehem municipality began its preparations for the glorious Christmas not long ago, once the Bethlehem Municipal Council made the decision to say ‘yes’ to marking these holidays.”

5. WHITE FLASH

6. (SOUNDBITE) DEPUTY MAYOR OF BETHLEHEM, LUCY TALGIEH, SAYING:

“The nature of the celebrations will be limited to religious rituals that do not contradict the national context, given the overall political situation that Palestine is living through—especially our people in Gaza and Jenin, and of course also the West Bank, which is experiencing nightly raids and arrests. Bethlehem Governorate is no exception; every night there are raids here as well.”

7. WHITE FLASH


8. (SOUNDBITE) DEPUTY MAYOR OF BETHLEHEM, LUCY TALGIEH, SAYING:

“This Christmas tree has not been placed in Bab al-Dere Square for four years. Now, this Christmas tree was donated by Dr. Behnan and his children, and it is the first time it is being displayed in the city of Bethlehem.”

9. WHITE FLASH

10. (SOUNDBITE) DEPUTY MAYOR OF BETHLEHEM, LUCY TALGIEH, SAYING:

“As for the streets, honestly, whatever decorations were available are being used by the teams responsible for decorating. But due to the lack of financial resources, there will be shortcomings in some areas, because we did not have a long period to prepare for all of this.”

11. WHITE FLASH

12. (SOUNDBITE) DEPUTY MAYOR OF BETHLEHEM, LUCY TALGIEH, SAYING:

“However, our preparations are not limited to the tree itself. Our real work is to strengthen the message of hope for the Palestinian people through the city of Bethlehem, whose slogan is ‘Arise and shine with your light, O Bethlehem.’ This message is meant to restore hope, bring light, and reinforce the resilience of our Palestinian people—especially in Gaza, given the genocide they are facing.”

13. WHITE FLASH

14. (SOUNDBITE) DEPUTY MAYOR OF BETHLEHEM, LUCY TALGIEH, SAYING:

“As for tourism, the city of Bethlehem relies almost entirely on it—let’s say about 80% of Bethlehem’s economy depends on tourism: hotels, restaurants, and various tourist facilities.”

15. WHITE FLASH

16. (SOUNDBITE) DEPUTY MAYOR OF BETHLEHEM, LUCY TALGIEH, SAYING:

“Over the past four years, tourism has been nearly nonexistent. Tourism also restores hope for the Palestinian public, especially from an economic perspective. When hotels operate, restaurants operate, bakeries operate, and merchants work—this creates an economic cycle that brings hope that better days are coming.”

17. WHITE FLASH

18. (SOUNDBITE) DEPUTY MAYOR OF BETHLEHEM, LUCY TALGIEH, SAYING:

“There has also been coordination with many parties, including our brothers from inside Palestine, who support and participate in the Christmas markets and in lighting the tree. This contributes to strengthening Bethlehem’s economy and gives its people a sense of motivation and resilience in the face of the occupation.”

19. TOURISTS PASSING BY CHRISTMAS TREE, CHILDREN NEAR TREE OUTSIDE CHURCH OF NATIVITY
BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK, PALESTINE - NOV. 26: The city of Bethlehem is preparing for a somber Christmas this year, with celebrations scaled back due to the ongoing war on Gaza and violence in the West Bank.

A Christmas tree has returned to Manger Square, adjacent to the Church of the Nativity after a two-year absence, but the atmosphere remains subdued.

Municipal workers are adorning the square and some city streets with decorations, signaling a tentative return of festive scenes despite what local officials describe as "harsh circumstances and the repercussions of the war of extermination."

Lucy Thalgieh, the deputy mayor of Bethlehem, told Anadolu Agency that the festivities will be limited to religious rituals that respect the "national context" and the difficult circumstances faced by Palestinians.

"The nature of the celebrations will be limited to religious rituals that do not contradict the national context, given the overall political situation that Palestine is living through," Thalgieh said.

She acknowledged that decorations are limited due to a lack of financial resources and time. The primary goal, she stated, is to send a message of hope and resilience. "Our real work is to strengthen the message of hope for the Palestinian people," she emphasized.

The conflict has crippled Bethlehem's tourism-dependent economy, which accounts for about 80% of its income. Thalgieh reported that tourism has been "nearly nonexistent" for the past four years, leading to widespread hotel and restaurant closures.

The human cost of the war weighs heavily on the city. Since October 8, 2023, Israeli attacks have killed more than 69,000 Palestinians in Gaza and over 1,000 in the West Bank.

Despite the challenges, the city will light its Christmas tree. Thalgieh said this simple act is to "tell the world that Palestinians—despite the wounds—remain committed to life, justice, and peace."

Writing by Sibel Uygun