President Herzog expresses 'deep pride in Israel’s Christian communities' as Christmas festivities return to Holy Land

After a two-year pause in Christmas celebrations in the land where the story of Christmas unfolded, Christians once again filled the streets of Jerusalem’s Old City, Nazareth and Bethlehem – key Christian cities in Israel and the area of biblical Judea.

With tourism contributing significantly to Israel’s economy, celebrations across the country brought renewed hope and much-needed income to struggling communities.

Joy has been palpable this week just inside Jerusalem’s Old City at the New Gate, where music, food and beverage vendors, and machines that sent snow drifting overhead accompanied visitors on their way to Santa’s House, creating a truly unique experience.

Nazareth, roughly 90 miles north of Jerusalem, hosted a range of activities, including a Christmas market running throughout December, a Christmas Eve parade, and Christmas Day tours of the city, with options to join multi-city tours showcasing festivities across the country.

Bethlehem – central to the Christmas story as the birthplace of Jesus – lies roughly six miles south of Jerusalem in the West Bank. This year, the city’s mayor said the decision to resume the tree-lighting ceremony, after the war halted the annual gathering, was meant to symbolize hope and peace, particularly as many Gazan residents have family members in Bethlehem. Muslims and Christians alike took part in the festivities, alongside groups of foreign tourists.

On Wednesday, Christmas Eve, Israeli President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog visited the Franciscan Sisters at the Convent of St. Anthony in Jerusalem. In a message posted on 𝕏, Herzog addressed Christians in Israel, saying, “I feel deep pride in Israel’s Christian communities, which are an integral part of our nation. The State of Israel will continue to protect the freedom of worship for people of all faiths and communities.”

Herzog added that they “shared a prayer for peace and fraternity and stood united against all forms of hatred and extremism.”

According to the latest data from Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Christians make up 1.9% of Israel’s population and grew by 0.7% between 2023 and 2024.

The CBS estimates Israel’s Christian population at 184,200, with Nazareth home to the largest community at 18,900 residents, followed by Haifa (18,800), Jerusalem (13,400) and Nof HaGalil (10,800).