Nowhere is this new reality more apparent than at Christmas markets today. Christmas markets are among Europe's most beloved cultural traditions, dating back as far as the 13th century. As a Jewish girl, one of my favorite things to do after Chanukah is visit a Christmas market, either locally here in Israel, where Nazareth, Jerusalem, and Haifa host markets and celebrations, or, if I am really craving the Christmas spirit, to travel to Europe and experience the nostalgia of how I grew up celebrating Christmas in Canada. What were once open, festive spaces for families and tourists now require concrete barricades and armed guards. Christmas markets have shifted from calm, joyful gatherings to prime targets for attacks by radical Islamists, forcing police across Europe to impose extensive counterterrorism measures.

The phrase "First the Saturday people, then the Sunday people" was never just meant to scare people. We are now living through that reality.

Security services across Europe have repeatedly warned that Christmas markets are high-value targets for Islamist terrorism because of their large crowds, open layouts, and religious symbolism. Just weeks ago, five men were arrested in Germany on suspicion of plotting to ram a vehicle into a Christmas market with the intent of killing or injuring as many people as possible. Three Moroccans, an Egyptian, and a Syrian were detained, and authorities stated they suspected an Islamist motive. Adding another layer of concern, the German newspaper Bild reported that the Egyptian suspect was an imam at a local mosque near the planned attack site.

This threat is not new. Just last year in Germany, a Saudi national who arrived in the country in 2006 and applied for asylum a decade later allegedly carried out a deadly attack on a Christmas market in Magdeburg, killing five people and injuring more than 200 others. The Guardian reported that the suspect had posted warnings on social media suggesting that "something big will happen." However, the first known terrorist plot targeting a Christmas market dates back to 2000, when authorities uncovered plans to attack the Strasbourg market near the cathedral in France. That December, an al-Qaeda–affiliated cell planned to carry out a bombing on New Year's Eve. French and German police foiled the plot after dismantling a Frankfurt-based terrorist network linked to the operation. Fourteen individuals were later convicted, four in Germany and ten in France, including Mohammed Bensakhria, who was identified as the cell's operational leader and widely regarded as a senior al-Qaeda figure in Europe with direct ties to Osama bin Laden.

Following the Arab Spring and the subsequent surge of migration from Muslim-majority countries into Europe, a modest but noticeable increase in such attacks began to emerge. One of the most significant occurred in December 2016, when a heavy truck was deliberately driven into the Christmas market at Berlin's Breitscheidplatz. The attack killed 13 people and injured more than 50 others. The perpetrator, Anis Amri, a 24-year-old Tunisian national whose asylum application had been rejected, hijacked the truck after murdering its driver and then drove it into the crowd. ISIS quickly claimed responsibility, and the attack became one of the deadliest terrorist incidents in Germany in recent history.

Two years later, in December 2018, the Strasbourg Christmas market was once again targeted, and this time the attack succeeded. The attacker, Chekattif Chekatt, armed with a revolver and a knife, assaulted civilians in and around the market, killing five people and wounding 11 others. He was known to police, had been flagged as a suspected extremist, and was connected to ISIS prior to the attack.

While ISIS no longer controls large swaths of territory as it did at its peak between 2014 and 2019, the group continues to maintain cells across Europe and in Western countries, including Australia. There is evidence suggesting that ISIS inspired the attack at the Bondi Beach Chanukah celebration, where two terrorists opened fire and killed at least fifteen Jews. Australian authorities reported that flags and explosive materials linked to the father-and-son attackers indicated ISIS influence. The thwarted terror attack at Taylor Swift's concert in Vienna during her Eras Tour was also carried out by an ISIS sympathizer.

Christians must come to terms with a difficult reality: they too are targets. The belief that terrorism is someone else's problem, confined to Jews, Israelis, or distant conflict zones, has been shattered. Churches, Christmas markets, concerts, and holiday celebrations now sit squarely in the crosshairs of violent Islamist extremism. Faith, visibility, and public joy are precisely what make these spaces attractive to those who seek to terrorize open societies.

Radical Islamist ideology does not distinguish between Jewish or Christian lives, Western or non-Western civilians. Ironically, the group of people who have suffered the most from radical Islam are Muslims themselves. The targets change, but the goal remains the same: fear, submission, and the erosion of free, open civilization.

Jews, Christians, Muslims and all people who value human life must stand together against jihadist ideology wherever it appears.

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A year later, Nat King Cole's performance became a huge hit. Jay Livingston (Jacob Harold Levinson) and Ray Evans wrote "Silver Bells" in Bing Crosby's classic performance, describing peace in the city during the holiday.

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"Merry Christmas to all, including the Radical Left Scum that is doing everything possible to destroy our Country, but are failing badly," Trump wrote in his holiday message.

"We no longer have Open Borders, Men in Women's Sports, Transgender for Everyone, or Weak Law Enforcement," the president declared, adding that under his leadership, the situation had dramatically improved.

"What we do have is a Record Stock Market and 401K's, Lowest Crime numbers in decades, No Inflation, and yesterday, a 4.3 GDP, two points better than expected. Tariffs have given us Trillions of Dollars in Growth and Prosperity, and the strongest National Security we have ever had. We are respected again, perhaps like never before. God Bless America!" Trump concluded.

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A Nativity Scene crafted in Bethlehem and displayed at the Vatican's Paul VI hall features a distinctive and controversial addition this year – a cloth that appeared to be a Palestinian keffiyeh (traditional head dress) covering the baby Jesus' manger, donated by the Palestinian Embassy to the Holy See. The inclusion of the traditional Arab scarf has sparked discussion.

The display has drawn particular attention for its connection to Jesus' historical Jewish identity, as he was born to Jewish parents in what was then the Roman province of Judea.

One online commentator wrote, "Does the pope think Jesus wasn't a Jew either? Did he even read the Bible?" Another outraged X user wrote, "The pope is exploiting Christmas to advance the ridiculous effort to rebrand Jesus as Palestinian rather than what He was – a Jew who fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy of a Messiah."

The pope was previously under fire for suggesting that "What is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide" in excerpts from an upcoming book published by La Stampa.

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One of the main attractions in Europe between November and January is the Christmas markets. Several major cities are renowned for their vibrant and elaborate markets, and in recent years, more and more cities have joined the festivities, recognizing the significant tourist appeal.

The markets are set to open in just over two months. So before you book your holiday, here's a roundup of the most sought-after destinations.

• Prague: November 30 to January 6
• Berlin: November 25 to December 26
• Vienna: November 15 to January 4
• Budapest: November 17 to December 31
• Colmar: November 26 to December 29
• Warsaw: November 25 to January 6
• Amsterdam: Late November to January 5
• Krakow: November 24 to January 1

Other popular tourist destinations hosting Christmas markets include: Madrid from November 29 to December 29, Winter Wonderland in London from November 21 to January 5, Bucharest from November 30 to December 26, Wroclaw from November 26 to January 5, Rome from early December to January 6, Paris from mid-November to the end of December, and Barcelona from November 28 to December 24.

New York City also boasts several Christmas markets, with the Bryant Park market expected to run from October 27 to January 2, Union Square from November 26 to October 24, Columbus Circle from November 28 to December 31, Grand Central from November 13 to December 24, and more.

It's important to note: each of these cities hosts a variety of markets and attractions, some of which will open during the dates mentioned. In some locations, openings may be delayed, meaning only certain markets will be partically operational on specific dates. It's essential to stay updated on any potential changes.

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Marking Christmas, Israeli Christians are 'thriving' while Middle Eastern brethren face persecution

While Christians are facing persecution and shrinking numbers throughout the Middle East, in Israel Christians are enjoying a different reality with growing numbers and high quality of life.

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The number of Christians in Israel grew by 1.4% in 2020 reaching 182,000 people with 84% saying they are satisfied with life in Israel, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics.

Christian Israelis make up about 1.9% of the state's population, most of them speaking Arabic. Christians make up 7% of Israeli Arabs and 76.7% of Christians in the country are Arab.

The majority of Christians live in Nazareth (21,400), Haifa (16,500), Jerusalem (12,900), and Shefar'am (10,400), according to the CBS.

The recent storms that swept through the region, such as the Syrian war, Iraq upheaval, and the spread of Islamist terror have left the Christian community in Israel unscathed.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the Christian communities in Israel can be divided into four main categories: Chalcedonian-Orthodox (Eastern Orthodox such as the Greek and Russian denominations) Non-Chalcedonian Orthodox (Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopian, and Syrian) Roman Catholic, and Protestant. They are predominantly Arabic-speaking.

As their holiday season approaches, Christians in Israel are in a festive mood, according to Capt. (res.) Shadi Khalloul, head of the Israeli Christian Aramaic Association and spokesman of the Christian Israel Defense Forces Officers Forum.

He notes that the Jewish-run municipality of Haifa has allowed a large Christmas tree and decorations on the main roads.

"This proves the beautiful co-existence, safety, prosperity, and freedom people enjoy in the Jewish democratic State of Israel," said Khalloul, a former Knesset candidate who made news back in 2015 when he successfully led a campaign to have his child's state registry changed from Arab to Christian Aramean in the interior ministry.

"Under the Palestinian Authority and other Arab countries, Christians fear to show their holiday symbols in public and are not protected by the state. For example, many Christian families living in Iraq and Syria are in poverty, and cannot afford proper celebrations," he said. 

The Maronite Christian community has shrunk and become a weak minority even in Lebanon, according to Khalloul. And as the economic crisis in the country has grown, especially in the course of the last year following a massive explosion at the Beirut Port in August 2020 and the onset of the coronavirus, many have suffered.

Most Maronites live in Lebanon; their numbers decreased from around 29% of the population in 1932 to around 22% in 2008.

There are Maronite Christian communities in Israel with former members of the South Lebanon Army militia among them. The militia was allied with Israel during its invasion of Southern Lebanon. About 2,000 of the 10,000 Maronite Christians in Israel derive former militia fighters who fled to Israel when its forces withdrew from Southern Lebanon.

According to a journal article by Israeli Syria and Lebanon expert Eyal Zisser, Maronite ties to the Jewish community in Israel began as early as the 1930s and continued through independence in 1948. The alliance against the Muslim Arab world was built on the belief that Israel was to serve as the national home for Jews and Lebanon for Maronites.

"While Middle Eastern Christians are [for the most part] oppressed, in Israel, they are thriving," Khalloul said.

Israel recently announced that it would allow 500 Christian community members from the Gaza Strip to enter Israel and the West Bank to celebrate the holidays.

Gaza's community maintains around 1,000 Christians, and in the West Bank, a dwindling number remains as many have emigrated. According to the CIA Facebook, Christians and other small non-Muslim and non-Jewish religions make up 8 % of the West Bank population.

According to a 2018 NBC News report, the Christian population of Bethlehem had dropped from 80% in 1950 to around 12%.

However, Christian leaders sought to blame Israel for the decline in Christians in the disputed territories.

In an article in last weekend's Sunday Times, written jointly by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Archbishop of Jerusalem, Hosam Naoum, warned about a crisis of Christian survival "in the Holy Land." The church leaders blamed Christian's shrinking numbers in the disputed territories to the "growth of settler communities" and "travel restrictions brought about by the West Bank separation wall."

Alastair Kirk, of Christians United For Israel UK, disputed this portrayal and accused the church leaders of demonizing Israel.

"While there are serious issues to address in the context of Christians in the Holy Land, Christians living in Israel proper enjoy the same freedoms as other Israelis," Kirk said. "There are real concerns for those Christians living in the West Bank who, like so many, are caught in a conflict, but rather than examine the challenges faced by Christians in the West Bank in a manner that may bring the British public closer to understanding them, the archbishops ignore key facts, effectively demonizing Israel in the process.

"Across the globe in 2021, Christians have been killed simply because of their faith. Millions of Christians have been uprooted. Many have been imprisoned," Kirk continued. "Churches have been attacked or forced underground. It is somewhat disturbing that the archbishops have thought it timely to publicly use the occasion of Christmas, in which Bethlehem plays such an important role, to raise contentious issues that some will use to further vilify Israel."

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Bishara Shlayan, a Christian Israeli Arab from Nazareth, told JNS that Israel defends Christians and provides security.

The Palestinian Authority is very weak and cannot provide adequate security to Christians living in the West Bank, he said.

"The difference between Christians in Israel and the Arab world is obvious. We are citizens and have equal political rights, while the situation in Arab countries is not good," he said.

Shlayan, who has headed a party that failed to pass the electoral threshold in past elections, points out that "at least we have the right to run."

His political movement seeks to promote co-existence and local issues instead of fomenting conflict. He criticized the Arab parties in the Knesset, which focus on identifying with Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.

"Israeli Arabs politicians should represent us and not serve as Palestinian representatives," Shlayan said.

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

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Elephants in Thailand wearing Santa hats and surgical masks passed out hand gel, face masks and balloons to students at a school's annual Christmas party, a COVID-era twist on a 15-year tradition in the Buddhist majority country.

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"I'm so excited because an event like this only happens once a year and I think my school is the only place with elephant Santas," said elementary school student Beyapha Mhonsuwan.

The celebration at the Jirasartwitthaya school in Ayutthaya, north of Bangkok, has run for more than 15 years and was especially important the last two years amid the COVID-19 pandemic and its virtual learning and lockdowns.

Video: Reuters

"We know students have been stressed because of online classes, so we are hoping this event can make them happy and encourage them to come to school," said the event's organizer, Reangrhongbaht Meepan from the Ayutthaya Elephant Palace.

Thai schools closed schools again in this year and rolled out vaccinations for high school students in October ahead of staggered reopenings and alternating days of attendance.

On Friday, only 30% of classrooms were filled at Jirasartwitthaya.

"I'm so glad that I got a balloon from the elephant. My heart is pounding very fast," said student Biuon Greham, as other children took photos and selfies with the elephants, Thailand's national animal.

Thailand is 98% Buddhist, but it celebrates Christmas as part of the year-end holiday season.

Coronavirus cases in Thailand peaked in August this year, with 2.2 million total infections so far and 21,501 deaths.

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A giant Christmas tree takes pride of place in Bethlehem's Manger Square, between the Church of the Nativity and a mosque adorned with lights cascading down its walls.

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But there is more to the Palestinian city than its biblical significance, say organizers of the Bethlehem Cultural Festival, which promotes other aspects of the place revered as the traditional birthplace of Jesus.

The annual festival features dance, music, art and culinary events in a city whose main source of income – overseas tourists – has been decimated by the coronavirus pandemic.

"Around Christmas, the world prays to Bethlehem, but actually most people don't know that Bethlehem is in Palestine," said festival participant and chef Fadi Kattan as he selected fresh mint from a vegetable market.

"I cook, Umm Nabil sells herbs, there are dance troops, there are artists," he says.

Bethlehem lies five miles south of Jerusalem in Area A, which means it falls under the administrative control of the Palestinian Authority.

For festival co-founder, Abdelfattah Abusrour, its aim is to show the world that Bethlehem exists as a living city outside the pages of history and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"It's not just a religious place," Abusrour said. "It's full of life, culture, art, beauty, hospitality and generosity of people – despite living under occupation."

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Israeli authorities on Wednesday said they would permit 500 members of the Gaza Strip's tiny Christian community to enter Israel to celebrate Christmas.

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COGAT, the Israeli defense body responsible for Palestinian civilian affairs, announced the permits allowing people to visit relatives and holy sites in Israel. It said it was also increasing access to Jerusalem for Christians in the territories of Judea and Samaria and allowing some 200 Gazan Christians to travel through Israel to Jordan for journeys abroad.

About 1,000 Christians live in Gaza, a tiny fraction of the territory's 2 million people. Most are Greek Orthodox, with Catholics making up about a quarter of the small community.

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Tourists hoping to visit Jerusalem or Tel Aviv after Israel's announcement last week that it would open to some vaccinated foreign travelers should read the fine print before booking, local hoteliers say.

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The new rules, due to go into effect on Nov. 1 ahead of the Christmas season, permit individual tourists who have received COVID-19 vaccine boosters to enter but not if more than six months have passed since their last dose, with some exceptions.

That has tempered excitement among hoteliers hoping for some improvement around 20 months after Israel banned most foreigners to halt the spread of the coronavirus.

"How many tourists out in the world have actually gotten boosters or are sitting in that six-month period following their second dose?" Israel Hotel Association CEO Yael Danieli said.

"Even if both parents in a family are vaccinated, their children under 12 are not, so they mostly can't come to Israel."

Israel has offered third doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech jab to all residents over 12. Other countries, including the United States, have begun administering vaccine boosters but in many cases only to the elderly or people with underlying medical conditions.

That means many would-be travelers whose last dose was before May 1 cannot enter Israel.

Hotel owners in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Nazareth say they have yet to see a large increase in bookings.

The entry rules also apply to visitors looking to visit Bethlehem in the West Bank.

"It is a great step to start, but I am not expecting big numbers until next year," said Joey Canavati, manager of Bethlehem's Alexander Hotel. "At the moment we just want to stop the bleeding, stop digging into our savings."

Tourism dropped over 80% in 2020 after hitting a record high of 4.55 million visitors in 2019 that contributed $7.2 billion to Israel's economy and boosted tourism-dependent Bethlehem.

The new rules, which await ratification, include some exemptions.

Entry will be granted to travelers, including children, who recovered from COVID-19 in the six months before their visit. Anyone who recovered earlier will also be admitted if they received at least one vaccine dose approved by the World Health Organization.

In recent months, Israel has allowed in small groups of vaccinated tourists. The new rules exempt such groups from the six-month requirement, so long as members take PCR or antigen tests every 72 hours for the first two weeks of their stay.

Danieli is urging the government to apply similar rules to individual tourists.

"We just want to make it easier for tourists, so they come back. We can't say how many will be able to come with these rules," he said.

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