The messaging shows the challenges Israel faces and also raises the question of whether it is better to use the holiday to draw contrasts with the region or to celebrate unity.

Israeli leaders have issued messages celebrating Christmas this year. President Isaac Herzog wished “all our Christian sisters and brothers in Israel, the Middle East, and around the world a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Jerusalem!”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wished our “Christian friends around the world a Merry Christmas.” Israel is the only country in the Middle East where the Christian community is thriving, he said.

The messaging includes two key aspects. Israel is wishing Christian communities a Merry Christmas and also trying to highlight the difference between Israel and other countries.

Controversy over Israel's Christmas messages

For instance, Netanyahu’s message said Israel is the only country where Christians can “practice their faith with full rights and in total freedom.”

The Foreign Ministry posted a photo by Arnon Bossani of people greeting Santa Claus on a camel: “Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! Next year in Jerusalem, Israel. Write it down for your future travel plans. Santa would love to meet you!”

Other Israeli officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel, also issued messages.

The IDF posted a Christmas message showing a soldier on a snowy mountain, apparently Mount Hermon in the North.

Other messages from Israeli official accounts on X/Twitter stirred controversy.

The Israel account on X said: “Meet Issa Anis Kassissieh. Israel’s Arab Christian Santa, and the only Santa in Israel and the region. From Israel, Issa spreads holiday joy across communities, proving that coexistence here isn’t just a slogan – it’s real life.”

The message raised eyebrows, because it’s clear that there are other people who dress as Santa in the Middle East. Many replies to the post slammed Israel, and one showed Israeli troops tussling with people dressed as Santa.

Another X account that apparently is Israel’s official account in Arabic posted two cartoon images of Santa. One shows Santa celebrating in Jerusalem with festive lights. The other shows a sad Santa in Damascus.

“What a difference between the dust and the stars,” the post said. “Israel is a beacon in the region where every citizen can practice their religious rituals with complete freedom. Happy Birthday.”

It was unclear why the choice was made to single out Syria in the post, as there were no other posts attacking other countries.

Over the past year, however, some Israeli officials have been outspoken against the new Syrian government, accusing it of being run by “jihadists.”

It was unclear what this had to do with Christmas in Damascus, or why the holiday would be used in this way. Video and photos from Damascus have shown that Christians there have been celebrating Christmas.

New Lines Magazine founder and editor Hassan Hassan posted on X: “Israel’s official Arabic X account posted a cartoon comparing Christmas in Jerusalem vs. Damascus. In reality, in Damascus, Jews celebrated Hanukkah, wore kippahs openly & were greeted warmly, and Christians held big Christmas celebrations.”
Other people replied to the post. Asaad Sam Hanna, a Syrian, posted a video from Syria showing people celebrating Christmas. Someone even made a reverse image, showing Santa happy in Damascus and sad in Jerusalem.

The messaging shows the challenges Israel faces and also raises the question of whether it is better to use the holiday to draw contrasts with the region or to celebrate unity.

A post on Israel’s Arabic account mentioned “our esteemed followers celebrating the glorious Christmas in the country, the entire region, and the whole world, praying that it be a year of love, coexistence, and prosperity.”