For my readers out there preparing for Chanukah or/and Christmas, I’m sure you are busy doing your last minute shopping and cooking, decorating and entertaining. And I thank you for taking the time time to read this latest blogpost. My husband and I are getting over nasty winter viruses and I’m trying to plan an “American Chanukah” party for my neighbors’ kids next week…. pulling out the menorahs, lights and decorations (everything from a Chanukah towels, aprons, dishes, banners, lights, wreath, ornaments, ugly sweaters and board games) all purchased in the States. They do absolutely nothing like that here in Israel.

Perhaps in their attempts to compete with Christmas, perhaps desiring to increase market sales by the big merchandising conglomerates, or perhaps just to be festive and beautiful and infuse even more meaning into what is a minor holiday, the celebration of Chanukah in the United States had become a big deal even before we made Aliyah ten years ago. There were latke (potato pancake) cook-offs and latke eating competitions. The kids decorated matzo houses and the adults held charity fundraisers with high stakes dreidel spinning contests. Menorah lightings with Chabad at the local malls were festive celebrations. But it was never ‘a Jewish Christmas’ and the narrative never got stolen.

For the past two years, ever since 7 October, the day the Gazans invaded Israel to massacre, terrorize and kidnap – in essence, starting the current war, the Christian narrative has been stolen. A well-planned hijacking and misappropriation of the Christmas story by the Palestinians has been put forth. Sold. And bought by many.

Jesus was not a Palestinian. The supporters of the Palestinian cause are trying to garner solidarity and empathy by that claim. Jesus was a Jewish baby, born into a Jewish family. Mary was a Levite and Joseph was from the lineage of King David according to the story in Luke. He was born in the town of Beit Lechem (Bethlehem) in Judaea, on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Eight days after his birth, Jesus had his Brit Milah, a ritual Jewish circumcision, which Jewish males have received since the time of Abraham. This can be found in Luke 2:21. “And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus.” He attended synagogue on Shabbat (found in every New Testament book) and became a Bar Mitzvah. Jesus himself celebrated the Jewish holidays of Sukkot (John 7), Chanukah (John 10:22) and Passover (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). His disciples were all observant Jews, mostly from the Galilee. At his crucifixion the sign proclaimed that he was King of the Jews. It was done in derision, but it pointed to the fact he was both born and died a Jew, and buried according to Jewish custom in a Jewish tomb.

The claim that Jesus was Palestinian is a distortion of history. The lands of Judaea, Samaria, the Galilee -all of Israel – were under Roman occupation in the first century. In 135 CE, Israel was renamed ‘Syria Palestina’ by the Romans to further subjugate the Jews who refused to submit fully to their rule. You see the Philistines (Falastinim) had been the arch enemies of the Jewish people since before the time of David. The books of Scripture 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Chronicles, 1 and 2 Kings tell of the relentless attacks by the Philistines (the most famous, Goliath) upon the Jews of Judaea/Israel. So for the Romans to name the country and people after their foes was a total insult. There were no Muslims either, as the prophet Mohammad had not lived or established the Islamic faith until 613 CE. The label “Palestinian” was completely nonexistent in Jesus’ lifetime.

The next piece of revisionist history and political propaganda is the claim that Jesus came to preach Palestinian freedom and to call for resistance of the Israeli occupation. This is an attempt to convert a Christian religious story into a modern-day political narrative. Last year, in an attempt to drum up sympathy for innocent Palestinians killed by the IDF in Gaza and the West Bank, churches in Bethlehem, Nazareth and throughout Judaea and Samaria (the West Bank), wrapped the baby Jesus figurine from the nativity sets and placed him under piles of cement blocks. ‘Jesus Under the Rubble’ took the place of the traditional nativity displays. It rapidly spread to many churches of different denominations (Presbyterian, Methodist, some Baptist and Catholic and other denominations) in the United States and throughout the Western World. A thing of beauty for Christians was transformed into a distopian nightmare, hideous to look upon, in order to foster solidarity with the radical Palestinian cause.

Last month, Abu Mazen/Makhmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority visited the Vatican. The Vatican has recently recognized (along with the UN) the Palestinian state. A beautifully carved life-sized nativity set made from Galilee olive wood by Israeli Christian artisans was presented to Pope Francis. Amidst a storm of controversy, the set was placed in a prominent position in the Vatican with the baby Jesus laying on a kefiyyeh.

Once again, NOT to condemn Catholics or other members of the Christian faith, distorting these historical facts with political agendas only harms countless Christian believers. It causes division, both within Christianity and also within Jewish-Christian relations both in Israel and worldwide. It is also an attempt by radical Muslims to Islamize the Christian faith. The ultimate goal is not only to eradicate Jews but to also eventually wipe out or convert the Christian world.

After decades of inter-religious dialogue and the issuance of Nostra Aetate and Lumen Gentium by the Vatican, I fear this act (among others) has all but wiped out Jewish Catholic relations. By accepting anti-Israel narratives, the very principles the Catholic Church and other Christian denominations espouse are being thrown under the proverbial rubble. It greatly saddens me.

The other fabrication that has been brought to my attention by a few of my subscribers is that of “Christ at the Checkpoint.” This complete historical revision has once again misappropriated the traditional Christmas story to bring the birth of Jesus into modern day Israel. It goes as follows: if he were to be born today, Mary and Joseph (and Jesus) would have been confronted by IDF soldiers and not allowed passage between Bethlehem in Judaea (the West Bank) and Israel. They, as Palestinians…born in the West Bank…would be denied passage under the Occupation.

If Jesus or any of his family wanted to travel to Bethlehem today, they WOULD be denied. Not because they were Palestinian, but because they were JEWISH!!! Many of my friends asked me if we have gone to Bethlehem. When we have Christian friends who visit us, we have taken them all over Israel, but they have to travel to Bethlehem alone. Why? Because I am a Jewish Israeli. Jews are not allowed into Bethlehem unless they have a special permit. It is the Palestinian Authority who made this restriction.

So please, do not fall for this propaganda that tries to Palestinianize Jesus. Do not buy into fake sympathy please. There are many things to feel sorry about. The loss of innocent life is most certainly heartbreaking to see any circumstance, no less war. Do not mix relgion with modern day politics.

Celebrate Christmas by all means. Celebrate Chanukah with giusto. Bring light and joy and beauty and peace into the world by your songs and hymns and decorations and messages. In this Season of Light, spread light. Dispel the darkness. Be glad that good always triumphs over evil. That truth prevails over falsehood. Light your menorahs with pride. Be keepers of the true stories of the valiant Maccabee band, true freedom fighters. Light up your Christmas trees and proclaim loudly, “Peace to all people of good will.” Let us walk in unity as we celebrate in tandem this year.

HAPPY CHANUKAH!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!