The time-honoured Advent tradition symbolising the anticipation of the Christmas holidays is being disturbed not only by concrete barriers and security fences. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators are now targeting Christmas markets and their Christian associations, shattering the serenity of Advent. From Toulouse to Vienna, groups often waving Palestinian flags shout slogans, blast loud Arabic music, or set off smoke bombs among market-goers.

Christmas markets – like churches, cafés, monuments, opera houses, theatres and carnival parades – are integral to the fabric of European cities. Since the late Middle Ages, their colourful lights, rustic wooden stalls, steaming punch, and the scent of roasted almonds and cotton candy have offered moments of joy to young and old alike. Yet today, the cosy atmosphere is disrupted not only by fears of terrorist attacks and the protective cordons around the markets, but also by anti-Israel protesters.

Brussels: Activists Encircle Christmas Market

At the opening of the Brussels Christmas market, masked pro-Palestinian activists instilled fear in families. They surrounded visitors, waving black and red smoke bombs as well as Palestinian flags, and – accompanied by drumbeats – shouted phrases such as “Shame on you.” Eyewitnesses spoke of instant “chaos” and “panic”.

Eröffnung des Weihnachtsmarktes in Brüssel…

Erst neulich hat die belgische Regierung für Nachschub gesorgt und völlig ohne Not Migranten aus dem Gaza aufgenommen. pic.twitter.com/TjWFBAAt9m

— Emrah Erken 🔥🎺 (@AtticusJazz) November 29, 2025

Vienna: Activists Place Palestinian Flags on Churches

Anti-Israel demonstrators also disrupted Vienna’s pre-Christmas festivities. On the first Advent weekend, protesters stood before the Christmas market outside the city hall, waving flags and chanting slogans such as “Free Palestine”.

At the start of the demonstration, a Gaza activist physically assaulted an Austrian reporter and prevented him from broadcasting, forcing police to intervene. The activists then went on to “decorate” the towers of the Votivkirche – Vienna’s second-tallest church – with Palestinian flags.

In Vienna, they surrounded Christmas markets and called for Islamic jihad. This won’t end well. pic.twitter.com/zy7e6vUp4G

— RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) December 1, 2025

Berlin: Anti-Zionist Palestinian Stall

In Berlin, outrage erupted over an anti-Zionist Palestinian stall at the Alexanderplatz Christmas market. It offered antisemitic decorative items for sale, including magnets, jewellery and chopping boards depicting the outline of Israel but in the colours of the Palestinian flag or styled as a black-and-white keffiyeh. Medallions symbolising Palestinian “resistance” against Israel were also on offer.

Toulouse: Loud Arabic Music

Videos circulating online from Toulouse also show disruptions at a local Christmas market. The footage features young men playing loud Arabic music – a gesture many locals perceived as deliberate provocation.

Essen and Stuttgart, 2024: ‘Allahu Akbar’ Chants

Even last year, a group of mostly young, dark-skinned men marched through Essen’s city centre – where the Christmas market was underway – shouting “Allahu Akbar” at full volume. Some were draped in Palestinian flags. Barely ten days before Christmas 2024, further anger erupted when “Allahu Akbar” chants rang out instead of Christmas carols at the Stuttgart market. Videos show dark-skinned, bearded men celebrating the fall of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.