Nazareth cancels Christmas celebrations over Donald Trump's Jerusalem decision

Nazareth has cancelled its Christmas celebrations in protest over Donald Trump’s move to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, according to reports.

The Arab town’s traditional festive singing and dancing has been dropped this year by authorities, made furious by the US leader’s decision that caused unrest across the Middle East.

With a Muslim and Christian population of 76,000, Nazareth is the largest Arab town in Israel and is one of the Holy Land’s focal points of Christmas festivities.

Palestinian towns of Bethlehem and Ramallah briefly switched off their Christmas lights to join in the protest following the announcement by Nazareth’s mayor.

“We have decided to cancel the traditional Christmas singing and dancing because we are in a time of dispute, because of what Trump has said about Jerusalem,” a Nazareth city spokesman told Reuters news agency.

He added that the town’s market stalls and Christmas church services would be held as normal.

Nazareth is traditionally thought to be where Jesus grew up, and Bethlehem is where he is thought to have been born.

The decision to cancel the events comes after Mr Trump announced plans to ended decades of US neutrality on Jerusalem and promised to relocate the US embassy there from Tel Aviv.

The move sparked fury among Palestinians, who immediately took to the streets in protest at a decision that they claim shatters hopes for peace in the war-torn region.

Defying worldwide warnings, Mr Trump insisted that after repeated peace failures it was time for a new approach.

Following the speech, Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem – areas occupied by Israel – began protests by burning flags, pictures and chanting anti-American slogans.

In Gaza - the thin coastal strip cut off by Israel - groups were also pictured setting fire to American flags.

Protesters also took to the streets in Amman, the capital of neighbouring Jordan, where Palestinian refugees in the Baqqa refugee camp denounced Mr Trump’s actions. Similar displays were seen in Egypt's capital Cairo.

Meanwhile, Palestinian factions agreed to a general strike and midday rallies.