Friday 15 December 2017

Nazareth Cancels Christmas Celebrations Over Trump's Israel Decision


Just like during the original Christmas, Jesus' birth will not be celebrated in Nazareth this year -- though this time, it's being blamed on President Trump.

Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has caused a backlash in the region, particularly among Muslims, and the reaction's reverberated to Nazareth, where the town's mayor, Ali Salam, announced Thursday that all planned Christmas events would be canceled.


“Our identity and faith cannot be bargained,” Salam, a Muslim, said, according to 10 News.

“[Trump’s] decision has taken away the joy of the holiday and we will cancel the festivities this year.”

The annual events are a huge tourist attraction during the Christmas season. Nazareth is believed to be Jesus Christ's childhood home, though he was born in Bethlehem. Still, Nazareth is an important point on the Christian Christmas pilgrimage.

Trump's announcement last week reversed decades of U.S. policy and made America the only country to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The city is also claimed by the Palestinian population, and Jerusalem is home to some of the most sacred sites in Christianity, Judaism and Islam.

Trump has also ordered the U.S. embassy moved from Tel Aviv, though that process is likely to take years.

Trump’s announcement triggered violent protests, with terror group Hamas calling on supports to start an uprising against Israel.

Two protesters have been killed in clashes with soldiers.

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