[Global Issue+] Israelis Traveling to Islamic Countries to See 'Christmas Tree'

Jordan and Iraq Designate Public Holidays
Commemoration Harder Amid Israel's Far-Right Coalition Emergence

Christmas market scene set up in the Christian residential area of Jerusalem on the 24th (local time). Jerusalem=EPA·Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As the Christmas season arrives, many tourists around the world have embarked on pilgrimages to holy sites such as Jerusalem and Bethlehem in Israel. However, Israelis themselves have reportedly traveled in large numbers to neighboring countries like Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Jordan to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.

At first glance, this situation may be hard to understand, but since the Israeli government emphasizes celebrating their own traditional holiday, Hanukkah, it is said that within Israel, except for Christian residential areas in Jerusalem or Bethlehem, it is difficult to find Christmas trees.

In Israel, Hanukkah holiday emphasized... Menorah over Christmas tree

On the 24th (local time), a Hanukkah commemorative ceremony held in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood in Jerusalem. Jerusalem=EPA·Yonhap News

According to the British BBC on the 24th (local time), this year Israel’s holiday Hanukkah is an eight-day holiday from the 19th to the 26th, coinciding with Christmas on the 25th for the first time in three years. The Israeli government and Judaism have been installing Hanukkiah, a candelabrum symbolizing Hanukkah, in various places and are making efforts to emphasize the Hanukkah holiday atmosphere more than the Christmas mood.

Recently, the Israeli government faced international criticism for not allowing Christians living in the Palestinian Autonomous Territories to go to Jerusalem. At Israeli universities, some minority Christian students decorated Christmas trees, but rabbis demanded their removal, causing controversy.

In Israeli Judaism, Jesus is recognized only as one of the many prophets in Israel’s history and is not acknowledged with the status of the Son of God as in Christianity. Therefore, Hanukkah, an important commemorative day in Israeli history, is valued more than Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Jesus.

Hanukkah commemorates the day in the 2nd century BCE when Israel reclaimed the Jerusalem Temple from the Greek Seleucid dynasty’s rule. In Chinese characters, it is called 'Sujeonjeol (修殿節),' meaning the day the temple was restored.

To celebrate Hanukkah, Israel erects a large candelabrum called a Hanukkiah that holds nine candles instead of Christmas trees. This tradition commemorates the miracle when the menorah, a candelabrum in the Jerusalem Temple restored at that time, burned for eight days despite having only enough oil for one day.

Ultimately, the Israeli government and Judaism emphasize Hanukkah over Christmas to strongly instill nationalist sentiment. As a result, it is generally difficult to see Christmas trees or Santa Claus decorations in Israel. Consequently, many Israelis travel abroad during the Christmas season.

In Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, and Syria, Christmas is actually a public holiday

A large Christmas tree installed at the Emirates Palace Hotel located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
[Image source=Emirates Palace Hotel]

Ironically, in neighboring countries of Israel such as Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq, Christmas is a public holiday and Christmas events are held. They also erect large Christmas trees. In contrast, Israel does not have Christmas as a public holiday and only takes a break when Hanukkah overlaps with the holiday period.

In fact, except for Sunni and Shia religious powerhouses like Saudi Arabia and Iran, most Islamic countries also recognize Christmas as a public holiday. These countries have many Christians and have been influenced by Western culture, leading to a significant change in perception.

Moreover, Islam recognizes Jesus as a prophet who appeared before Muhammad, the founder of Islam. Since Jesus is not a taboo figure, there is generally no strong rejection. However, some extremist Islamic fundamentalist militant groups occasionally carry out terrorist attacks during this season, so there is considerable vigilance regarding this issue.

Rise of Israeli far-right coalition... Concerns over disappearance of even limited Christmas celebrations

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

However, with the formation of a far-right coalition in Israel, concerns are emerging that even the limited Christmas celebrations may disappear within Israel. Recently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu succeeded in forming a coalition and returned to power. This time, the coalition partner of the Likud party, the largest party in the Knesset, is known to be very devout far-right Jewish parties, raising concerns that Jewish supremacy will become excessively strong.

Consequently, there are forecasts that the conflict with the Palestinians will intensify again. Far-right factions in Israel strongly emphasize Jewish orthodoxy and particularly advocate for the expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank and the forced annexation of Palestinian territories.

This Christmas, the Israeli government allowed the erection of Christmas trees in Christian residential districts of Bethlehem and Jerusalem, but it is said to be difficult to find such decorations in major cities within Israel.

If this coalition strengthens further, there are concerns that consideration for Christians remaining in Palestine and neighboring Middle Eastern countries, as well as tolerance toward other religions, will significantly weaken. It is expected that celebrating Christmas will become even more difficult than it is now.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.