Today is Christmas, and a happy holiday to all who are celebrating. As people around the world enjoy one of the most basic human rights of worshiping and observing their religion in the manner they see fit, it will come as no surprise that many Palestinians living under Israeli domination will not be able to do the same.
If you have time, please be sure to watch our new video about Palestinian Christians in Gaza who are not allowed by Israeli authorities to travel the 46 miles needed to be in Bethlehem for Christmas. “Christians from all around the world can visit Bethlehem. But I am Palestinian from here, and Jesus was Palestinian, and I can’t even go, even though Gaza is just one hour away by car,” Elias al-Jelda told Mondoweiss. Yet, another Israeli crime.
And even those who are able to celebrate do so under the looming threat of the occupation. Jeff Wright filed a moving story for us about the annual interfaith Christmas tree lighting in Jerusalem’s Old City, which this year took place at the Imperial Hotel, a Greek Orthodox property under threat from Israeli settlers. At the lighting, the Greek Patriarch of Jerusalem called the simple event “a sign of hope in the darkness.”
And sadly, this was another week with too much loss in Palestine. So far this year, 229 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces, with 15 alone killed this month. Not surprisingly, the Biden administration shows no signs of standing up to Israel, even as its new radical right-wing government takes office. And to make matters worse, the truth tellers that we rely on to report the truth to people around the world are being smeared and shut down, with hardly a peep in the mainstream.
Still, there are places to find hope. One story we ran this week is one of my favorites from all of the past year. It tells the story of Ma’alul, a village in the Galilee that was depopulated and destroyed during the Nakba. However, even though most of the village is no longer standing the people who called it home, and their descendants, have not forgotten. Instead, they have been practicing return; and routinely travel to the village’s grounds for holidays and family events. It is an inspiring story that shows that even despite all that Israel has done to destroy, the Palestinian people remain steadfast. Please take the time to learn about Ma’alul and Rawan Bisharat’s incredible story.
Finally, as you likely know, we are in the final week of our year-end fundraising campaign. We can only do all that we do because of the support of our readers. Please accept our profound appreciation and please give if you are able.
Great article
Sad