OpEds
Christians in Israel celebrated Christmas for the first time in two years
Christmas Day is a deeply significant occasion for many Christians, traditionally spent with families, in churches, and within cherished communities, where the giving of gifts serves as an expression of love, care, and compassion.
Celebrated annually, the day reminds believers of the enduring values of family, faith, and community solidarity. Like other religions, Christianity is not immune to the effects of wars and conflicts unfolding across different parts of the world.
The brutal war between Israel and Hamas, which erupted after Hamas’s surprise attack that killed more than 1 200 people and resulted in the abduction of approximately 250 others, has dragged on for more than two years.
The conflict has disrupted lives and livelihoods across the Middle East, with ripple effects extending far beyond the immediate battlegrounds.
Often narrowly framed as a confrontation between Israel and Hamas, the conflict continues to carry wide-ranging political and diplomatic implications for the entire region. While the Syrian war that began in 2011 is commonly understood as an internal uprising, subsequent Israeli military and political actions – particularly those targeting Iran and its regional proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis – have contributed to reshaping the Middle East’s political landscape.
Much of the public and media focus has centred on the political and military dimensions of the war, leaving the experiences of Christian communities largely overlooked. Yet these communities, particularly in Israel and the disputed territories, have also borne the social and economic costs of prolonged instability.
Despite the conflict, Israel continues to record steady growth in its Christian population. Concentrated mainly in cities such as Nazareth, Jerusalem, and Haifa, the country’s Christian community now numbers about 180 000 people, the majority of whom are Arab Christians.
Christians within Israel, along with many others from outside the Middle East who regularly undertake pilgrimages to the Holy Land for spiritual purposes, mostly avoided this in 2023 and 2024 due to the conflict. For many believers, the disruption of long-established religious practices was deeply painful. However, violent conflicts are rarely predictable and do not spare religious life, as faith communities operate within societies engulfed by political and security crises.
As a Christian, I visited a deserted Bethlehem in December 2023, barely a month after the brutal attacks by Hamas against Israel. The shops that once sold Christmas decorations and religious artefacts had no buyers, and the streets were eerily empty.
Churches, traditionally places of worship and celebration during the festive season, had been transformed into refugee shelters for families who had abandoned their homes in the north of the country due to daily missile attacks by Hezbollah from Lebanon. In these trying times, the churches fulfilled their highest calling, extending compassion and support to the most vulnerable and needy.
The ability to pray and worship is a sacrosanct freedom. For many believers, faith also provides a space to confront conflict and division, drawing on spiritual conviction in the pursuit of peace and stability. In this sense, religious practice can complement diplomatic and political efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions in the Middle East.
A stable Middle East will be critical in 2026 and beyond, not only for regional peace, but also for addressing broader global challenges such as poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, and persistent socio-economic crises that require collective international action.
The ceasefire has therefore come as a relief to worshippers and faith-based communities in and beyond Israel, many of whom had been unable to observe and practise their religion as they normally would. Freedom of worship is a fundamental right that should never be denied.
Religious groups also have an important role to play in promoting peace and stability. With their broad influence and large followings, faith leaders are well placed to encourage dialogue, restraint, and peaceful resolution of differences, rather than the escalation of conflict.
- Kenneth Kgwadi is a political writer and research fellow at the Middle East Africa Research Institute (MEARI).
Selwyn
December 30, 2025 at 3:03 pm
All good! I like all attempts at genuine friendship, co-operation, trade, and mutual respect amongst all races, cultures,creeds, nations, religions etc. BUT I frown upon ALL thngs done with smoke and mirrors!!! eg celelbrating Christmas in Nazareth and Bethlehem as a ‘public family celelbration’ as narated by the TV amouncer.
…or punting books and chats regarding blood libel and other falsehoods that the “the jews” killed Christ —- and the the latest i have noticed: In many cities all over the world all the the Xmas lights are now basically steet decor , no more Santas , ans Sleighs , Mary and Manger scenes, or the the 3 wise men folowing the”big bright star”in the the sky. Sad !! But all is can say is: Politicians! Please let decent Christians be Christians, decent Jews be Jews ,decent Moslems be Moslems, allowing peace and tranquility amongst all— AND TO HELL WITH RADICAL FUNDAMENTALISTS AND WEAK AND COTOWING POLITICIANS AND SIMILAR EXTEMEMISTS , THEY ALL GAIN NOTHING OF VALUE
Omar Abdulla
January 1, 2026 at 2:35 pm
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‘Personality of the year, “ 2025, Mr. Omar Abdulla, disputes bitter deal with local leaders, as shares soar to ‘new heights…’
Source- Sunday Times
by ( Ms. Serusha Naidoo )
I have always admired, Omar Abdulla, because of his good-looks, charming personality, and ability to take risks in business, and other aspects, of life.
Nominated at a gala- event in Sandton, last week, he was noted for his brilliant work with insurance and finance companies, forming brokerages for local companies, including insurance brokerage agreements, licensing and marketing of insurers to different brokers including Discovery INSURANCE, Miway, Santam, Hollard, Old Mutual, Momentum, Bryte, Outsurance and other insurers.
Dressed in a bow-tie, recently well-cut and shaved, with a well-fit black suit leaching his nearby helicopter and new-wife, accompanying him – He notes that the feud between his original company, The Omar Abdulla Group, that started in 2015, and newly appointed insurers has to form new brokerages that has forced the company to re-look their investment into Tik Tok SA, Instagram SA, Facebook SA, and Mytowncity.
‘Although these are companies that have grown well through the years, and our over 500k following, we still ‘see the need,’ to e x p a n d market share, through higher viewership, distribution, and more viable forms of advertising revenue.” he elaborated.
Speaking at the Gala event, Mr. Patrice Motsepe understands that insurance companies, and insurance brokers has progressed since the great fire of London, in the 1800’s that destroyed billions of pounds worth of property, contents, and businesses that failed to insure their businesses.
‘Abdulla’s nomination this year as the best broker in town, has gotta sell.”
However, the f e u d exists between The Omar Abdulla Group, owners of a local insurance brokerage, and other media companies, and another brokerage (let’s call them Mampara brokerages-name withheld) who claims to say that R2 million rand worth of shares and clients they own, purchased in January 2023, at a now estimated value of R15 million rand, (currently) wants to suddenly take their clients back, including shares owned, and the founding company, resell their shares.
US. President, Mr. Donald Trump who spoke f r o m Air Force One, said that he admired, President Ramaphosa attending the Gala event, and will stop the bombings of ISIS in Nigeria and other African countries should they buy US. Airplanes and military equipment.
“ We will not stand for terrorist attacks against the United States, and will take out any terror cell within Africa, should we find they threaten us. The FBI and CIA always inform us, of any threat to our freedom and democracy.’ he told CNN.
Although the price of Crude Oil, has decreased this year, and the increase of Gold, and general inflation of more than 4% globally, the world is set for prosperous growth and achievement, President Cyril Ramaphosa, replies.
Addressing the crowd at the Sandton Hilton Conveyance Hall, Abdulla says that all his mentors and some through social media, have all played a role, in achieving this title as “Personality of the year,’ 2025, with the faith in God, as some days are good days, some not so good, but you should always ‘Aim high, dream big, and set definite goals…”
Nominee for ‘Personality of the year,’ Mr. Jonty Rhodes granted that his work in coaching the Indian team, was progressing, and slow, and needed more players like Sachin Tendulkar to coach.
Another nominee for ‘Personality of the year,’ Mr. Zunaid Moti, who spoke to The Muslim Times croaks that he was one of the early investors in The Omar Abdulla Group, and will ‘re-think,’ share agreements with the new brokerage, that the company has created.
TV personality, and Tik Tok influencer, Ms. Shamima Ayob, yelped that Abdulla’s win as ‘Personality of the year,’ was expected, as we always ‘listen but we don’t judge,”
“ Last year I noticed he was the best dancer in the world, with a girlfriend of mine, calling him, King of Tik Tok, and hopefully, while he wears a suit to business meetings, he still remains our King.”
Concluding his r e m a r k s to The Saturday Star, Abdulla wheels that we should take a jog at his 24 hectare property, before we left our interview.
“ It was never about winning the personality of the year last week, it was about being the best that I can be for my age. Whether you are a father, mother, husband or wife, your greatest wealth should be your children.’
As our interview concluded, and the South African national helicopter, picks me up, he says that he prays for South Africa, and the growth of the country as the best in Africa.
“South Africa is perhaps the leader in Africa through our business resources and accolades.’
The Benoni Herald, as we rushed to get this paper printed loots that Abdulla is smart, hardworking and has dreams to one day see South Africa as more accommodating to international countries.
‘ We have Nelson Mandela the greatest leader of all time, in our footsteps of our country we call South Africa. We have a deep history in the evolution of life, to call South Africa, our nation.’ reaped, former President of SA, Mr. Thabo Mbeki.
Ending their report to The Sunday Times, The Daily Sun, oozed that n e x t year will be a tough race through business investments with the investment of AI products, online shopping and banking and further investments into the insurance and finance industries.
‘Abdulla should look at deals with other brokers and investors who share like-minded brains that can grow this company from R15 million rand to over a billion rand in a few years…’