JERUSALEM, Israel – When the COVID pandemic initially struck Israel, many Christian businesses in the Holy Land almost went under.

Last Christmas, the pandemic kept most tourists out of places like Jerusalem’s Machne Yehuda market. This year, the number of visitors began to grow. But now with the omicron variant, Israel has shut its doors once again to the outside world.   

“Many businesses are just closed and shut down. And many people started to find different [sources of] incomes. Four or five of my neighbors have left this small area,” said Zak Mishriky, owner of Zak’s Jerusalem Gifts.

Picture: Jamil Hosh works in his Star of Bethlehem Olive Wood Factory in Bethlehem. Photo Credit: CBN News