Nazareth Cancels Christmas Festivities in Protest Against US Jerusalem Decision

The Israeli Arab city of Nazareth has announced the cancellation of its Christmas celebrations in protest against US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The decision, made last week, reversed decades of US foreign policy and has sparked outrage across the Arab world, Western allies, and Palestinian territories.

Nazareth, Israel’s largest Arab city with a population of 76,000, including both Muslims and Christians, is traditionally a central hub for Holy Land Christmas festivities. City spokesperson Salem Sharara stated:

> “We have decided to cancel the traditional Christmas singing and dancing because we are in a time of dispute, due to Trump’s announcement about Jerusalem.”

Despite the cancellation of public festivities, the city confirmed that market stalls and church services will continue as usual. Nazareth is historically considered the hometown of Jesus, and the Basilica of the Annunciation, a major Christian pilgrimage site, is located there.

Following Nazareth’s announcement, Palestinian towns Bethlehem and Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank briefly switched off their Christmas lights in protest. Bethlehem’s municipality has not confirmed whether it will scale back other celebrations, which are significant for local tourism.

Trump’s controversial decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital has intensified tensions in the Middle East. Jerusalem holds profound religious significance for Christians, Jews, and Muslims, and its status remains a major point of contention in Israel-Palestinian negotiations. Israel declared Jerusalem as its capital after the 1967 Middle East war, a move not internationally recognized. Palestinians insist that East Jerusalem should serve as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

In response to the announcement, Hamas leader Ismail Haniya called for global protests, urging:

> “We demand the Islamic world make every Friday a day of anger and revolution, and ask churches, the Pope, and Christian communities to devote Sunday prayers to Jerusalem.”

Since the announcement, at least 12 rockets or mortars have been fired from Gaza towards Israel, prompting Israeli military strikes on Hamas targets. Widespread protests have erupted across Palestinian territories and the Arab world. Palestinian envoy to the UK, Manuel Hassassian, criticized the US decision, saying:

> “He is declaring war in the Middle East and against 1.5 billion Muslims and hundreds of millions of Christians who will not accept holy shrines under Israel’s hegemony.”