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From Breitbart: ROME — This weekend Pope Francis presided over the unveiling of a nativity scene in the Vatican featuring a baby Jesus lying on a keffiyeh, the traditional Palestinian scarf used as a national symbol.
“I greet “the representation of the Embassy of the State of Palestine, tormented Palestine, which has come to present, on behalf of the City of Bethlehem, this ‘Nativity,’ created by the craftsmen of Bethlehem,” the pontiff said in his address.
“I extend a cordial welcome to the civil and ecclesiastical Authorities present, in particular the Special Representatives of the president of Palestine, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas – he has come here several times,” the pope added.
The keffiyeh-draped crèche, which is displayed in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, is one of a series of nativity scenes collectively titled “Nativity of Bethlehem 2024,” designed by artists Johny Andonia and Faten Nastas Mitwasi, both Palestinians from Bethlehem.
Breitbart explains that the display was organized by the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine, an organ of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), and the Palestinian embassy to the Vatican, along with several local institutions in Bethlehem.
The ‘State of Palestine’ announced on Saturday, “Today, the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine on behalf of the State of Palestine gifted the Nativity Scene made in Bethlehem to the Vatican and in the presence of the Pope who prayed for peace.”
Today, the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine on behalf of the State of Palestine gifted the Nativity Scene made in Bethlehem to the Vatican and in the presence of the Pope who prayed for peace. pic.twitter.com/unshHedXC8
— State of Palestine (@Palestine_UN) December 7, 2024
The display with Baby Jesus lying on the Palestinian scarf has prompted outrage from both Christians and Jews, from both sides of the political aisle. Below are just some of social media posts condemning the scene.
Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), who was raised Catholic, slammed the display, writing, “A year ago, during Christmas, there were Anti-Israel activists who vandalized my office with a baby doll drenched in red paint, claiming that Jesus was a “Palestinian refugee in the West Bank” and that Zionists like myself are the moral equivalent of “Christ killers.” A modern manifestation of an ancient blood libel. Sad to see the pope fall victim to a propaganda photo op that perpetuates the same lie.”
A year ago, during Christmas, there were Anti-Israel activists who vandalized my office with a baby doll drenched in red paint, claiming that Jesus was a “Palestinian refugee in the West Bank” and that Zionists like myself are the moral equivalent of “Christ killers.” A modern… pic.twitter.com/RmAgJPCNYE
— Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) December 8, 2024
“I thought someone had done this as a joke. It’s not a joke,” X user Luana Fabri wrote in disgust.
I thought someone had done this as a joke.
It’s not a joke.Pope Francis inaugurates nativity scene in Vatican showing ‘baby Jesus’ on a keffiyeh. pic.twitter.com/e1858jdOCB
— Luana Fabri (@LuanaGoriss) December 10, 2024
And the backlash continues…
Pope Francis inaugurates the new nativity scene called ”Betlehem 2024” in the Vatican today.
Does the pope think Jesus wasn’t a Jew either? Did he even read the Bible? pic.twitter.com/2MIoXaZO1Q
— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) December 7, 2024
Oh, sweet baby Jesus!
Jews don’t believe in Jesus, and he may not even have existed as far as we know. But if he was a real person, he was born a Jew, lived as a Jew, and died a Jew.
Attempts to Palestinianize him are absurd and ahistorical.https://t.co/L65zWgv3r2 pic.twitter.com/7EQKgKpene
— David May (@DavidSamuelMay) December 9, 2024
Pope Francis has now unveiled the Vatican’s annual nativity scene, and this year, it is featuring the Baby Jesus cradled in a Palestinian keffiyeh pic.twitter.com/svNsQzbfpk
— Sarah Wilkinson (@swilkinsonbc) December 8, 2024
Absolutely disgusting… Exhibiting a symbol of the ideology that would exterminate our Savior’s chosen people. Heretical behavior.
— Andrew Moser (@Andrew_Moser_) December 7, 2024
Idk where to begin. Grateful to see the Holy Family, but where is the rest of what makes up a “nativity scene” (angels et al). What are the blobs w smaller blobs next to Mary and Joseph? And why is the most holy moment on earth being used for a political statement? 😐 pic.twitter.com/Jhjv0xBEa6
— Maria Elena (@MariaElenaJMJ) December 10, 2024
You’ve gotta be kidding me. Pope Francis’ Nativity Scene features a baby Jesus wrapped in a keffiyeh pic.twitter.com/cWuqAWhtDL
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) December 9, 2024
This is disgusting! We were brought up Episcopalian but my father was a Roman Catholic. For the first time in 12 years, I’m glad he’s not here to see this blasphemy 🥹
— Elena (@Eleanor04066972) December 8, 2024
So Pope Francis now believes in a Palestinian Jesus.
Even though the name Palestine didn’t even exist in the time of Jesus, and according to Christian canon, Jesus was very much a Jew.
What’s with this upside down world? pic.twitter.com/iF06JG7E0Q
— 🚨 Katherine Brodsky (@mysteriouskat) December 8, 2024
Addressing the donors of this year’s Nativity Scene and Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis renews his impassioned appeal for peace in the Holy Land.https://t.co/04c6byifiO
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) December 7, 2024
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