Christmas Returns to Bethlehem Amid War’s Shadows—But at What Cost to Peace and Security?

For two years, Bethlehem’s famed Christmas celebrations were reduced to empty streets and shuttered businesses—a stark reminder of how terrorism and subsequent military operations have crippled life in this historically significant city. Now, as families gather once again beneath Manger Square’s towering Christmas tree, the question remains: Has peace truly returned, or is this a fragile illusion amid ongoing conflict? Can Christmas Cheer Mask a Still Volatile Reality? John Juka’s family restaurant, a pillar of Palestinian tradition since 1979, burst back to life this holiday season after suffering through the economic devastation wrought by Hamas’s October 2023 assault on southern...