By Victor Ochieng
Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus, normally registers a beehive of activities during the Christmas season. However, this time around there is likely to be nothing much happening after the city mayor officially called off all activities that had been planned for Christmas.
Considering the high number of tourists that mill the city during Christmas, the decision to do away with Christmas festivities is likely to have a serious economic impact.
Explaining the decision to The Times of Israel, Nazareth mayor Ali Salam said it was in response to the announcement by President Donald Trump to officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital city and even move the U.S. Embassy there.
Trump’s announcement rubbed many people the wrong way, with some nations announcing that it could seriously heighten tensions in the Middle East and even lead to war. This is particularly because Jerusalem remains a contested area between the Jewish people and the Arab nations.
Speaking about the decision to do away with all the festivities, Salem said, “Our identity and faith aren’t up for debate. The decision [by Donald Trump about Jerusalem] has taken away the joy of the holiday, and we will thus cancel the festivities this year.”
Besides the Trump announcement being very controversial, Salem’s decision has also attracted serious criticism, especially among those who had made plans to be in the city.
“I don’t understand what the announcement to move the American embassy to Jerusalem has to do with celebrating Christmas in Nazareth…. Perhaps it’s because I lack a proper understanding of the tensions in the region,” said one user on the online Relevant Magazine.
And another said, “He probably saved many tourist lives by closing. Good call. Donald Trump has no idea how to handle a Christian system because he’s a fake Christian himself. He tells you what you want to hear and as long as it gets him in the spotlight, he fine with it. It’s a very stupid and blind person to think Trump is a Christian. Read the bible and watch trump … He does not walk the walk in any way or form. BUT, he talks the talk very very very well.”
On the other hand, many Muslim nations have harshly called out President Trump for making the Jerusalem announcement. Interestingly, even some of U.S. allies have said that due to the weighty nature of the decision, President Trump can’t make it unilaterally without involving other nations.
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