Christmas in Bethlehem is overshadowed by the 2nd year of the war in Gaza; Pope has reinforced security at the Vatican

“You have supported us with resilience, steadfastness and strength as Israel defends our civilization against barbarism,” added Netanyahu, whose country has been fighting on multiple fronts since the start of the war in the Gaza Strip.

In Germany, head of state Frank-Walter Steinmeier called for unity and cohesion in his Christmas greetings, referring to the “shadow” cast over the festive season by the attack by an armored car that killed five people and injured more than 200 on Friday. fair at the Magdeburg Christmas market, in the northeast of the country.

In Syria, where President Bashar al-Assad was overthrown on December 8, the new Islamist-dominated authorities have struggled to reassure Christians in the predominantly Sunni country.

“It was not easy to come together under the current circumstances and pray with joy, but thank God we did it,” Sarah, who was attending mass at St. George’s Syriac Orthodox Cathedral in Damascus, told AFP.

However, several demonstrations were held on Tuesday in Christian areas of Damascus to protest the burning of a Christmas tree near Hama in central Syria.

“If we are not allowed to live our Christian faith in our country, as was the case, then we no longer have a place here,” Georges, who preferred not to give his surname, told AFP.