- Title: Palestinian chef in Gaza brings Christmas cheer through cakes
- Date: 6th January 2021
- Summary: KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA (DECEMBER 30, 2020) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PALESTINIAN CHEF, AHMAD AL-BATTA, ICING CHRISTMAS-TREE SHAPED CAKE AL-BATTA DECORATING CAKE WITH "2021" ICING AL-BATTA WORKING ON CAKE VARIOUS OF AL BATTA DECORATING CAKES (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PALESTINIAN CHEF AHMAD AL-BATTA, SAYING: "This year will be different because of the coronavirus pandemic, so I wanted us to share their joy (Palestinian Christians in Gaza) and create something beautiful that they can have at home to compensate for what they are currently living. We wanted to make the 2021 celebrations spent at home special. We wanted to make New Year cakes in the shape of a Christmas tree, Santa Claus and a snowmanthings that bring joy and happiness, especially to the children." VARIOUS OF WORKERS MOVING COLOURFUL AND DECORATED CAKES TO STORE WORKER TAKING CAKE OUT OF REFRIGERATOR FOR CUSTOMER / SANTA CLAUS CAKE ON TABLE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PALESTINIAN CHEF, AHMAD AL-BATTA, SAYING: "We found that the idea was very successful. A lot of people encouraged us, they thanked us a lot. We were surprised that a lot of people who do not necessarily want to buy a cake come here to take pictures and selfies with the cakes. They view this as something new for the year 2021." VARIOUS OF AL-BATTA DECORATING CAKE VARIOUS OF CAKES
- Embargoed: 20th January 2021 09:29
- Keywords: Cake Christmas Coronavirus Gaza Health Season
- Location: KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA
- City: KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA
- Country: Palestinian Territories
- Topics: Living/Lifestyle,Middle East,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001DU2H0T1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: "We wanted to make the 2021 celebrations spent at home special", Palestinian chef, Ahmad al-Batta, said from his kitchen in Gaza after applying the last touches on a series of Christmas and New Year-themed cakes.
Al-Batta said he is eager to bring joy to Christians in Gaza through his cakes in the shape of a Christmas tree, Santa Claus or a snowman, adding that besides attracting customers, his store was also visited by people who wished to take selfies next to his creations.
Orthodox Christians in Gaza, who will celebrate Christmas on January 7 and New Year a week later, will do so at home this year amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Gaza Christians cannot make their usual Christmas trips to Bethlehem this year due to increased COVID-19 travel restrictions imposed by Israel - which has for years imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip citing security concerns about Hamas - and Palestinian curbs on movement to prevent the spread of infection.
While around 1% of the population of the Palestinian Territories as a whole are Christian, the percentage is small in Gaza, where there are around 1,000 mostly Greek Orthodox Christians among nearly 2 million Muslims.
According to the Palestinian ministry of health, 43,134 cases of coronavirus infections, including 404 deaths, were so far recorded in Gaza.
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