Palestine's Christmas Message

In a world dominated by appearances and superficiality, relationships between people seem like facades devoid of depth and honesty, where people are judged by what they possess in terms of material things, not by the values and principles they hold. However, in the midst of this falsehood, there come moments that awaken a new awareness in us, when we see the suffering of others, and we realize how small our concerns are compared to their pain.

From Palestine, a land that blends the sanctity of history with the pain of the present, I address my message to all those who live in relative safety in different parts of the world. Here, in this land, people struggle daily for their basic rights. In Palestine, children dream of education, while fear and destruction surround them, and fathers and mothers bid farewell to their martyred sons or try to gather the remnants of their lives after their homes were demolished. Despite all this, Palestinians remain hopeful, believing in their right to life, refusing to surrender to the injustice of the occupation.

The scenes of the Palestinian cities - Jabalia, Nuseirat, Khan Younis, Rafah, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun - have become symbols of steadfastness and suffering in the face of the killing and destruction machine. These cities bear stories that bear witness to the brutality of the Israeli occupation, and the silence of the world that chose to turn a blind eye to the suffering of an entire people.

To those who live in peace, I invite you to reflect on your life and the blessings that surround you. How many times have you complained about simple burdens while others live under rubble or behind bars? How many times have you grumbled about the details of your daily life while others spend their years in the darkness of prisons? True gratitude is not just words said, but a deep awareness of what we have, and turning this gratitude into actions that alleviate the suffering of others.

With the advent of Christmas, we recall the message of Christ, peace be upon him, who was born in Bethlehem, on the land of Palestine. His message came carrying the light of peace, justice and love. Today, Palestine, which witnessed his birth, suffers from an occupation that fears the light of truth more than any weapon.

The message of Christmas is not just a celebration, but an invitation to every human being to be part of the change. The world today needs your voices, your actions, and courageous positions that stand with truth and justice. Palestine is not a cause far from you, but rather a human cause that concerns everyone with a living conscience.

Share their stories, support their people, stand for justice everywhere. And remember this Eid, as you gather with your loved ones in warmth and reassurance, that there is a people who suffer but do not lose hope. Be part of this hope, and help end injustice, alleviate suffering, and spread the message of justice and peace.

On this glorious holiday, as another year approaches its end, our hopes remain renewed despite the challenges. While Christmas is celebrated in many parts of the world as a new beginning and renewed hope, in Palestine we live this meaning every moment, amidst the ongoing suffering and challenges. Every day is a new opportunity to cling to life, a new hope to survive, and to keep the flame burning in our hearts despite all the difficulties.

On this holiday that embodies the values of love and peace, we call on the entire world to stand with the Palestinian cause and transform feelings of solidarity into real actions of support and advocacy, as restoring the inalienable Palestinian rights is the basis for building a more just and humane world, where tolerance prevails and dignity and freedom are achieved for all peoples.

Justice will not be achieved except by activating the rights of all peoples without exception. Let us work together to achieve a more tolerant and humane world, where everyone enjoys freedom and dignity. Let us make our solidarity a true stand for the truth, and let us build together a future that establishes the values of peace and justice for all peoples.