As we head into the Christmas season, we are once again seeing anti-Israel protesters show their hatred for Christmas and the traditions of Christianity.

We have long said that if there is a line to be drawn, draw it around Christians and Jews because we are united. We understand that God’s people are Israel and the Church. And it is no surprise to us that the same hatred that is shown towards Israel is also being shown towards Christians.

One example of this is the Brussels Christmas market that was targeted by hateful Palestinian protesters who lit flares, intimidated families, and screamed “shame on you” at innocent people just wanting to experience the “Winter Wonders” market.

Shortly after the protest, the nativity scene was targeted.

According to the Brussels Times, who spoke to the mayor’s office, the head of the baby Jesus was stolen at some point that evening.

“I can confirm it was the ball of cloth that served as the head of the baby Jesus that was stolen,” stated spokesperson Victor Kanyanzira. “We are in the process of replacing it.”

These Palestinian hate mobs against Christmas are nothing new

There is a reason that a few Christmas markets have been cancelled in Europe, and now all of them require police protection. There is an ideology at work that hates the things of God.

We have been reporting this for a couple of years. It peaked in 2023, when a number of Hanukkah and Christmas events were targeted by the Palestinian hate mobs.

A London council cancelled their Hanukkah menorah lighting for fear of protesters. They did this against the wishes of the Jewish community, and then went as far as accusing those of opposing it (who were largely the victims) of inciting violence, despite themselves cowering to actual incitement to violence. It was a complete failure by British authorities to protect the Jewish community and their ability to celebrate their religion.

Likewise, the New York Times Christmas tree lighting event was disrupted by violent protesters who claimed that “Christmas is cancelled until Palestine is free”. And this was mimicked in other parts of the United States, where Christmas carols were sung to the background of “Free Palestine” chants as anti-Israel haters ruined festivities for Christian families in dozens of places in Europe and America.

What happened to Jesus being a Palestinian?

It’s particularly rich coming from the people who claim that “Jesus was a Palestinian”. This lie is evil, and it is an insult to our Christian beliefs. No other religion would allow such an insult, but sadly, some Christians actually proclaim this fallacy. They have been deeply deceived.

Jesus was a Jew from Judea. He was born in the Jewish town of Bethlehem.

Bethlehem today is a shadow of its former self. Even going back just a few years, the decline of Christianity in the birthplace of Christ has been rapid, from over 86% of the population in the 1950s to just 10% today, after decades of rule by the Palestinian Authority.

In all of the Palestinian territories, Christianity has been declining. Yet, the Palestinians claim to be friends of Christianity and the defenders of the birthplace of Christ.

By contrast, in Israel, the Christian population is increasing and Christianity is thriving. Yet, the agenda of the Israel-haters is to paint Israel as being the enemy of Christianity and that Christians aren’t safe in Israel. This is again a lie from the pit.

Israel is not perfect, but it is the safest place for Christians in the Middle East by a huge margin.

The media downplayed Palestinian hatred once again

Shamefully, much of the media has covered up the shameful behaviour of anti-Israel activists in Brussels. Just as Hamas’s war crimes are constantly downplayed, so too are the actions of anti-Israel activists. This is part of the spiritual battle we are in.

Some media sources claimed that the baby Jesus figure was completely stolen, not beheaded. This obviously lessens the impact of the story and acts as damage control, but it goes deeper than this.

Many news reports did not mention the anti-Israel protests at all. They claimed that the controversy was because of the figures of the nativity being made of cloth and being faceless, which was a choice by the council in order to be ‘inclusive’. The trouble is these reports rarely mentioned the Palestinian protests, and tried to make out it was a small amount of Christian opposition that was to blame.

Think about that for a moment. The people most against the replacement of the wooden figurines were Christians. But no Christian in their right mind would behead a figurine of Jesus.

This is how the media victim blames. By leaving out key details, and by making out that the controversy bigger than it really is, it paints the picture that it’s angry Christians who did this. It is abhorrent to blame the victims. Christians were not responsible for this.

The Brussels nativity scene has been targeted in previous years, on at least three occasions, and each time it has not been Christians who carried out the attacks. And with this incident coinciding so closely to a group of radical Islamist supporters chanting about “intifada” and whose religious extremism is more familiar with beheadings than most other groups. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that it wasn’t a disgruntled Christian who did this. This was almost certainly a provocative attack from someone who hates Christianity. Like the people protesting a Christmas market.

The Church must wake up to the threats against it

As we said at the start of the article. If a line has to be drawn, then draw it around Christians and Jews.

We don’t say this because we want to start a fight or pretend we are the victims of antisemitism. That’s not the case. Antisemitism is a unique hatred and we must oppose it specifically. However, we also must recognise that the enemies of God hate the people of God – both Christians and Jews.

Israel and the Church may have unique roles in God’s plans and purposes, and we may have different understandings of God, but we are one when it comes to standing on the side of God. The enemy may have different tactics against us, and often tries to divide us, but it has the same hate for us. Satan wants to destroy the Church as much as he wants to destroy Israel.

That’s why the Church must wake up and Christians must rise up and take a stand.

We recognise that this battle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers (Ephesians 6:12). We also recognise that our governments are largely secular and they lack spiritual discernment in these matters. Therefore, it’s up to us to “take up arms” in prayer. We need to recognise the threat, pray against it, and speak out with the authority of Scripture.

We must shine a light in the darkness for the sake of God’s people, and for the hope that those who are spreading hate will have their eyes opened to the truth, and turn to the light.

Share
Tweet
WhatsApp
Email
Print
More