Newly elected Prime Minister Boris Johnson sent a Christmas message making clear that his administration will “defend your right to practice your faith”.
In Malta President George Vella says that he is saddened and shocked by what happened in the country over the past year, but believes that the values of Christmas can help overcome the difficult times for peace and unity to reign once again. He called for more tolerance and respect, especially towards people with different opinions and with those with whom some form of tension took root in the past months.
Spain’s King Felipe VI, spoke about “the deterioration of citizens’ trust in institutions”. He spoke of “times of great uncertainty, of deep and rapid changes” causing “concern and restlessness” inside and outside of Spain. Nevertheless, he only used the word Catalonia once in his speech.
Elsewhere, ex-president Evo Morales made his Christmas message after vowing to return to Bolivia by this time next year. From Argentina, we are coordinating with social movements to recover democracy in our beloved Bolivia,” he tweeted.
In Israel, people are not only celebrating Christmas but also the festival of Hanukkah. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who will face one of his biggest political challenges on Thursday when his party vote to decide who will lead it in the next election.
“The state of Israel would have not come into being if it weren’t for the avid support of Christians in the 19th century and the 20th century as well,” Netanyahu said in his Christmas message. “We know that we have no better friends around the world than our Christian friends.”
Under-pressure Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, wished citizens a “safe, happy and peaceful Christmas” despite ongoing anti-government protests in the semi-autonomous territory. “Christmas is a time for everyone to celebrate. I wish everyone in HK to have a safe, happy and peaceful Christmas,” she said in a message posted on Facebook.
