Dr. Manawil Hassassian: Israel considers Pope Francis anti-Semitic and sees his promotion of the message of Christ as contradicting its policy

Bishop Atallah Hanna: The Pope and Vatican's position on the war of extermination in Gaza expresses clear solidarity with the Palestinian people

Dr. Munther Ishaq: Israel has begun to realize that its true image has been exposed to the world as a tyrannical and racist regime that commits war crimes

Issa Qassisieh: The Christmas message is a message of hope, love and peace in solidarity with the oppressed and wronged Palestinian people in the Holy Land

Hind Khoury: The Nativity scene in the Vatican this year embodied a special symbolism with the appearance of the baby Jesus wrapped in the Palestinian keffiyeh

Youssef Daher: Israeli reactions to the keffiyeh in the Vatican reveal double standards and the exploitation of religion for political purposes

Tamer Maleha: The Pope represents the highest Christian religious authority in the world and his positions are of great importance, especially in political and religious issues.

George Sahhar: The occupation's angry reaction to the Pope's position reflects arrogance and disregard for international law and heavenly laws

The sight of a keffiyeh draped over a statue of the baby Jesus in the Vatican has driven Israel crazy, and it has not hesitated to direct its ready-made accusation against His Holiness Pope Francis of being anti-Semitic, as it did with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, the International Relief Agency (UNRWA), and others, forgetting that His Holiness the Pope represents one and a half billion Catholic Christians in the world.

The scene of the keffiyeh came as an unmistakable Palestinian symbol, and it was worn over the statue of the Palestinian Jesus Christ, who was born in Bethlehem and lived in Nazareth, in the Vatican on the eve of the start of Christmas celebrations tomorrow, Wednesday, at a time when the war of extermination waged by the occupying state on the Gaza Strip continues, causing more innocent victims every hour, most of whom are children and women.

The Christmas message issued by the Vatican and other Christian churches, whether Catholic, Orthodox, or others, reflected the expansion of international solidarity with the Palestinians, and the increasing number of those calling for an end to the tragedy and humanitarian disasters caused by the war in Gaza, for which innocent civilians are paying the price.

Christian clerics, academics, activists and influencers, who spoke to Al-Quds and Al-Quds.com, saw that Israel’s crazy and unprecedented reactions to the appearance of the Palestinian keffiyeh in the Vatican and the positions of His Holiness the Pope regarding the crimes of genocide and ethnic cleansing that it has been committing for fourteen months, show that the occupying state has begun to realize that its true image has been exposed to the world as a tyrannical and racist regime that commits war crimes, ignoring international law and divine laws.

The Vatican's manger is adorned with a Palestinian keffiyeh

Prof. Dr. Manuel Hassassian, the Palestinian ambassador to Denmark, said that it is not strange that Israel has taken a hostile stance towards the Vatican recently, especially since the outbreak of what he described as a war of genocide against the defenseless Palestinian people in Gaza.

He pointed out that the Vatican has repeatedly expressed its rejection of the brutal aggression, which relentlessly destroys and kills a defenceless people who only aspire to a dignified and stable life.

He stressed that the killing of children, women and the elderly constitutes genocide and a stain on the international community, which stands helpless to pressure the occupying state to stop these horrific massacres against humanity.

He added: "Israel, with this war, has disregarded all human and moral concepts, and with its actions as a state above the law, with the support of the United States, it is showing a shameful disgrace to the international community."

Commenting on the Pope's celebration of covering the manger with the Palestinian keffiyeh, Hassassian stressed that the keffiyeh symbolically expresses the Palestinian cultural heritage, and cannot be considered a symbol of violence as Israel claims.

He explained that accusing Pope Francis of anti-Semitism reflects a strong reaction from the occupying state, which sees this position as a clear challenge to its hostile practices against the Palestinian people everywhere.

He pointed out that Israel's positions towards the Vatican and Christianity in general have become clear, as it is disturbed by the historical and symbolic contexts that link Palestine to Christianity and Christ.

He added: "The use of symbolism related to Jesus Christ represents in one way or another advocacy for Palestinians, whether they are Christians or Muslims, in the face of genocide."

Historical facts and symbols do not please the occupying state

Hassassian stressed that Pope Francis, as the spiritual leader of more than 1.4 billion Catholics around the world, has great influence on international issues, especially with regard to the suffering of the Palestinian people.

He explained that Israel's objection to the keffiyeh stems from its clear association with opposition to occupation policies, which complicates the Vatican's messages that employ religious symbols to direct political positions that support truth and justice.

He added: "Israel considers Pope Francis anti-Semitic, and sees his promotion of the message of Christ, which calls for love and peace, as contradicting its positions and policies."

Hassassian pointed out that Israel shows its displeasure with historical contexts that describe Christ as a Palestinian, and his suffering on the cross as a symbolism similar to the suffering of the Palestinians today.

He said: "These historical and symbolic facts do not please the occupying state, but they remain a witness to injustice and an expression of a message of hope."

The Vatican's message should move the consciences of the free people of the world.

For his part, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Sebastia, Bishop Atallah Hanna, said that the position of His Holiness the Pope and the Vatican on the war of extermination and ethnic cleansing in Gaza expresses great clarity in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Bishop Hanna pointed out that the Christmas message issued by the Vatican and other Christian churches, whether Catholic, Orthodox, or others, reflects the expansion of international solidarity with the Palestinians, and the increasing number of those demanding an end to the tragedy and humanitarian disasters caused by the war in Gaza, for which innocent civilians are paying the price.

He added, "The presence of the Palestinian keffiyeh in the scene near the Christmas tree in the Vatican carries important connotations, especially since His Holiness the Pope received a Palestinian delegation a few days ago."

Hanna stressed that the Vatican's message must reach every place in the world to move the consciences of free people.

Call to pray to stop the war on Gaza

Speaking about Christmas, Bishop Hanna explained that celebrating the occasion, whether according to the Western calendar on December 25 or the Eastern calendar on January 7, reflects the unity of the message and content despite the difference in dates.

He said: “We, as Palestinian Christians, from the heart of Palestine, specifically from Jerusalem and Bethlehem, call on the Christian churches in the world to raise prayers and supplications during Christmas to stop the war on Gaza, achieve the lost justice in Palestine, and end the suffering of our people.”

At the end of his statement, Bishop Hanna stressed his appreciation for the position of the Pope and all other Christian spiritual authorities, whether Orthodox, Catholic or Evangelical, which issued clear positions and statements expressing their support for the Palestinian people and their suffering.

Israel loses its monopoly on the novel

In turn, Rev. Dr. Munther Ishaq, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bethlehem and Beit Sahour, said that Israel has begun to realize that its true image has been exposed to the international community as a tyrannical and racist regime that commits war crimes.

Isaac explained that what Israel fears most is the impact of this negative image on the Western public, noting that churches play a major role in shaping this image in the eyes of public opinion.

“Part of the current conflict is a conflict of narrative,” Isaac added. “Israel’s loss of its monopoly on the narrative prevalent in the West about what is happening in Palestine could have a significant impact on international political attitudes toward it.”

Regarding the Vatican's position on the war on Gaza, Father Isaac stressed that the Catholic Church is fully aware of what is happening in Gaza, especially after a Catholic church was targeted there, which led to the martyrdom of three women, one of whom was outside the church.

Pope Francis: War on Gaza is a defeat for humanity

He praised the positions of His Holiness Pope Francis, who described the war as a defeat for humanity, calling for an investigation into war crimes.

Isaac stressed the need for all places of worship and religious leaders, regardless of their affiliations, to demand accountability for perpetrators of war crimes.

Isaac pointed out that the Vatican's positions are a positive step, calling on churches and other church leaders to take bolder positions, describing what is happening in Gaza as a "war of extermination."

Father Isaac addressed the recent attack on the Palestinian keffiyeh, considering it to reveal a hateful racism directed against the Palestinians.

He said: “All the peoples of the world view Christ as close to them and embody his personality as part of their culture, but the Palestinians are deprived of this right, even though Christ was born in Bethlehem and grew up in Nazareth, both of which are Palestinian cities.

He added: "This racism from the West also affects the Palestinian Church," stressing that Christ, for the Palestinians, is the son of Bethlehem who lived under occupation, called for justice, and was subjected to injustice and murder at the hands of the Roman occupation.

Isaac concluded by saying: “We see in Christ an image of the suffering of the Palestinian people today.

In war everyone comes out defeated

For his part, Ambassador Issa Qassisieh stressed that the Holy See's position on the Palestinian issue is based on international legitimacy and relevant United Nations resolutions.

He explained that the Vatican recognized the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, through the comprehensive agreement signed by the State of Palestine with the Vatican in 2015.

"Israel opposes and refuses to recognize the Palestinian entity based on the right to self-determination and international humanitarian law," Qassisieh added.

The ambassador pointed out that His Holiness Pope Francis, since the events of October 7, 2023, has called on every occasion for a ceasefire, the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip without any obstacles, in addition to the release of prisoners. The Pope stressed that war represents a defeat for humanity, saying: "In war, everyone emerges defeated, and there are no victors."

The ambassador reviewed Pope Francis' new book, "Hope Does Not Disappoint... Pilgrims to a Better World," which he published on the occasion of the Jubilee Year of the Catholic Church.

He explained that the Pope stressed in his book the need to investigate the possibility of genocide, emphasizing the importance of respecting human dignity.

Positions of the highest spiritual and religious Catholic stature

Ambassador Qassisieh stressed that the Pope's positions stem from the highest Catholic religious and spiritual stature, and from a moral and religious standpoint, recalling the Christmas message that carries meanings of hope, love, and peace, especially for the oppressed.

In this context, he explained that the message of Christmas this year is a message of hope, love and peace, representing solidarity with the oppressed and wronged Palestinian people in the Holy Land, and is a shed light on what remains of the global conscience.

The ambassador stressed that the Nativity scene, which arrived in the Vatican with its national dress, heritage and religious symbolism, came from the heart of Bethlehem to remind the world that the birth of Christianity was in Palestine, the land of holiness.

He also explained that the message of the Child Jesus, which is a message of love and peace, originates from wounded and sad Bethlehem, pointing out that the remaining authentic Christian presence in Palestine is calling out to the conscience of the world to lift injustice and achieve justice and peace.

At the end of his statement, Ambassador Qassisieh thanked the Vatican for its warm reception of the Nativity scene, from families and institutions, and for the blessing of His Holiness the Pope for this cave that carries meanings of patriotism and faith.

Papal statement calls for ending Palestinian suffering

For her part, former Jerusalem Minister Hind Khoury said: “In these dark and painful times that Palestine and its people are going through, as the genocide in Gaza continues in its most horrific forms, Palestine has become a global symbol of the loss of the human and moral compass, and the legitimization of killing and destruction.

She added: "In this context, we were pleased, and with us the living consciences of the world, with the papal statement on the occasion of Christmas, which called for an end to the Palestinian suffering."

She continued: “This year, the Vatican’s Nativity scene embodied a special symbolism, as the baby Jesus appeared wrapped in the Palestinian keffiyeh, indicating hope for a better life and affirming the Christmas message that calls for peace and security for all peoples of the earth, including the Palestinian people.”

She said: It is unfortunate that Israeli and Zionist policies continue to seek to destroy and displace the Palestinian people, exploiting the policy of force and all possible tools of influence globally, whether military, diplomatic, media, political, legal, or economic.

Israel is trying to silence any solidarity with the Palestinian people

Khoury stressed that these tools aim to combat freedom of expression, especially in Western countries, and to silence any solidarity with the Palestinian people’s struggle for freedom and equality on their land, and to stop the ongoing genocide in Gaza for more than a year without pause or mercy. It is not surprising that this war also includes the Vatican.

She explained that the battle to build hope is an arduous effort, but holding the tyranny of power accountable begins with bold, wise and honest voices from the world’s decision-makers, rather than blind interest policies.

Khoury said, “Perhaps Pope Francis wanted, through his picture next to the child Jesus wrapped in the Palestinian keffiyeh, to send a message to the world about the importance of returning to the voice of justice and to the values called for by the heavenly messages. As the Prophet Micah says in the Bible: ‘Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with the Lord.’”

Palestinian keffiyeh in Vatican drives Israel crazy

In turn, Youssef Daher, coordinator of the World Council of Churches office in Jerusalem, confirmed that the Israeli reactions to the appearance of the Palestinian keffiyeh in the Vatican reveal double standards and the exploitation of religion to achieve political gains.

“Once they saw the keffiyeh in the Vatican, they went crazy,” Daher said. “Instead of criticizing it diplomatically, they went on to make statements confirming that Christ was of Jewish descent and born to a Jewish family. Now they admit that Christ was born in Bethlehem and crucified in Jerusalem.”

He explained that the Palestinian keffiyeh symbolizes fishing nets, which have roots in the Bible, parables, and the life of Christ, just like the symbolism of olive leaves.

Daher pointed out that the Israeli diplomatic pressures on the Vatican and Western churches are not new, but have escalated recently, adding, "If they were able to criminalize UNRWA, the International Court of Justice, and the International Criminal Court, what more can we expect?!"

At the end of his speech, Daher stressed that the cave, the scene of the Holy Family on Christmas Eve, carved from Palestinian olive wood, which decorates one of the most important halls of the Vatican, remains a witness and a reminder to the Christian world of the cities of Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nazareth, and all the Palestinian cities.

One and a half billion Catholic Christians in the world

Lawyer Tamer Maliha, a political and social activist, said, “The position of the Pope and the Vatican is of great importance, especially in political and religious issues, as the Pope represents the highest Christian religious authority in the world, as the number of Catholics worldwide is about one and a half billion.”

He stressed that the Vatican's positions have international influence and international and Christian sympathy, and its position is often considered an expression of the positions of all Catholic churches. These positions also have an impact on other churches, whether Orthodox or Protestant.

Maliha pointed out that the Vatican's sympathy, represented by the Pope, with the Palestinian cause has humanitarian dimensions, as it stems first from the legal and legitimate justice of the Palestinian people and the rejection of the occupation, in addition to the religious importance of the Holy Land.

He continued: As for the Israeli anger and angry reactions towards the Vatican after the Palestinian keffiyeh was placed on the manger of the baby Jesus, it reflects the Israelis’ concern about the symbolic connection between the baby Jesus and the Palestinian cause.

He said: Israel believes that this link shows the child Jesus Christ as having Palestinian origins, and indicates his suffering and pain at the hands of parties similar to those that cause pain to Palestinian children today.

Activist Maliha believed that the problem lies in the Israeli presence on Palestinian land, which represents a continuation of the suffering that has been going on for more than 2,000 years at the hands of the same party.

He stressed that this explains the Israeli concern about the Vatican's positions and the possibility of their impact on the Christian world and the free world, especially in light of the bad image that Israel presented after the war of extermination on Gaza, and the resulting increase in its political isolation in the Western arena.

Pope's position challenges Israeli arrogance

As for the activist specializing in church affairs, George Sahhar, he confirmed that the angry reaction of the Israeli occupation towards the position of His Holiness the Pope reflects an arrogant mentality and a complete disregard for international law, human rights principles, and heavenly laws.

"The occupation acts as if it has the absolute right to demolish the homes of Palestinians, kill them, and displace them, while no one has the right to criticize them or hold them accountable. They act as if they are above international law and divine laws," Sahar said.

Sahar praised the humanitarian stance expressed by His Holiness the Pope, adding: He challenges Israeli arrogance, as he expressed his solidarity with the Palestinians in the Christmas message that carries meanings of love and peace.

He added: "The Christmas message that the angels chanted in the sky of Palestine, specifically in Bethlehem, 'Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace', is a divine message directed to all of humanity, and a message that our forefathers carried to the whole world."

Activist Sahar pointed out that the Palestinians today are an oppressed people who suffer from continuous violations, stressing that His Holiness the Pope’s message of solidarity came to include them in the meanings of Christmas and its profound message of love and peace.

Sahar concluded by saying: “The Christmas message is not exclusive to anyone, but rather it is a message for all of humanity, and the message of His Holiness the Pope confirmed that the Palestinians, despite their suffering, are an essential part of this peace that the world needs.”