Judaism is the major religion of Israel. Approximately 73.8 percent of the country’s population identify as Jewish, however, a minority (1.9 percent) of the country follow Christianity.
The Hamas-Israel conflict has almost certainly affected the small Christian population in Israel and their plans for Christmas. Generally, although it is not a public holiday and is missing lots of the commercialism of the western world, Israel is an awfully important place to spend Christmas. Israel is the actual land where the nativity story took place.
What does this war mean for Christians in Israel?
Jayson Casper from Christianity today, an evangelical Christian media magazine founded in 1956 by Billy Graham, reports that Christmas celebrations have been cancelled in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Jordan. It is, “not appropriate,” stated local authorities, in unity with the suffering in Gaza due to the Israel-Hamas war.
In Jordan particularly, all churches have cancelled all Christmas activities and celebrations planned for December 2023. “The announcement was not even necessary,” said Imad Mayyah, President of the Jordanian Evangelical Council (JEC), “No Jordanian is celebrating anything”.
We must remember that the very religious land that is so important during Christmas time is amidst a lethal war right now. This conflict will make this season incredibly more difficult for people regardless of religion worldwide.
By Eliza T, Yr8
Boston High School Newsroom