After several terrible years, the tourism-dependent town of Bethlehem, the West Bank town where Jesus was born, is lit up with Christmas lights for the first time in two years, thanks to the peace and stability brought by President Donald Trump's Mideast peace efforts.
Separated from Israel by massive security fences, Bethlehem is not easy to visit.
It's heavily dependent on religious tourism, particularly pilgrimages to the Church of the Nativity, the traditional birthplace of Jesus.
In past years, Bethlehem attracted about 3 million visitors annually, accounting for up to 90% of its income.
Bethlehem’s economy is also dependent on regional security.
The COVID-19 pandemic devastated Bethlehem's tourism industry, as global travel restrictions and border closures reduced the number of tourists to near zero in 2020 and 2021.
Tourism partially recovered to about 1.5 million visitors in 2023 by September, but then sharply dropped after the horrific Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack against Israel.
Bethlehem's tourism reportedly dropped to near zero during the Christmas season in 2023 and to fewer than 100,000 for all of 2024.
This all changed in 2025 due to President Trump's 20-point plan to end the Israel-Hamas War that was signed in October of this year.
This historic deal led to the release of all living Israeli hostages held by Hamas and a cease-fire that is still in place.
The plan has widespread support, including from the Palestinian Authority, an essential factor for Bethlehem's security and stability.
As a result, Politico.com quoted a Bethlehem business owner earlier this month who said, "Tourists finally feel safe to come back."
This is why, for the first time since 2022, there are now public Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem, including the lighting of a giant tree in Manger Square and the singing of Christmas carols.
Thousands of local and regional visitors came to Bethlehem this Christmas season from across the West Bank and Israel, as well as a few from abroad.
The number of Bethlehem tourists this month is still way down, about 20% of 2019, and is not expected to fully recover until 2027, assuming peace in the region continues.
Bethlehem still faces many challenges.
The cease-fire in Gaza is holding but is fragile.
Israel Defense Forces recently cracked down on terrorist groups in the West Bank.
The success of the 20-point peace plan is far from assured, mostly because Hamas is resisting disarmament.
The U.S. and its Arab allies are working hard to protect the peace plan and advance it to the next stage.
Despite these concerns, there is no question that because of President Trump's Gaza peace efforts, there is hope for peace in the Mideast.
Our peacemaker president also brought Christmas back to the town of Bethlehem this year.
Fred Fleitz is Vice Chair of the America First Policy Institute’s Center for American Security. He previously served as National Security Council chief of staff, CIA analyst, and a House Intelligence Committee staff member — Read Fred Fleitz's reports — Click Here Now.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.