Somber Christmas in Jerusalem’s Holy City

“How can we not think of the many marginalized for whom it seems there is no place in the world, and also our many brothers and sisters in this tormented Holy Land for whom there seems to be no place, dignity, or hope?” The current Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, remarked in the official annual Christmas message for the year 2024 as he lamented the fate of Palestinians in Gaza.1

The Old City of Jerusalem, home to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of the holiest sites for Christians, is missing the holiday spirit this year as Israel continues its genocidal war on Gaza, which began in October 2023. A normally bustling area during this time of year, the Old City paths are empty, and shops struggle to remain open as foot traffic to the city is nominal. Businesses in the Christian Quarter rely on the holiday season to make their largest revenue of the year, thanks to international tourism and Christian visitors from all over Palestine. Yet this year, shop owners fear closures as Christmas celebrations are virtually canceled for the second year in a row.

Since Israel imposes a closure on Palestinians who hold Palestinian Authority IDs (see Jerusalem: A Closed City), each year, hundreds of Christians must submit an application to Israeli military authorities to be allowed entry into Jerusalem and thus practice their right to celebrate a religious holiday and visit their holy sites. Thus, visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Christmas is a basic right that is turned into a privilege by Israel. While only a couple of hundred applications are approved in a normal year, this year, there were close to none. This comes against the backdrop of Israel closing Jerusalem and the country to all Palestinians holding PA IDs since the war began, especially to workers who rely on access to Israeli businesses and employers to eke out a living.

Although Christians who are citizens and living in the 1948 areas don’t require a permit to visit Jerusalem, their presence in the city this season is limited. The ongoing genocide in Gaza, coupled with the heightened violence and tension in Jerusalem since the start of the war, has discouraged them from visiting the city for the holidays.

All in all, between the prevailing gloomy mood and the dearth of visitors, the Old City this Christmas is an anemic shadow of its former bustling holiday self.