After significant backlash, the Vatican has removed a nativity scene inaugurated by Pope Francis last weekend. The display featured a wooden figure of baby Jesus lying on a keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian scarf seen as a national symbol of Palestine. This installation is one of a series of nativity scenes designed by the Palestinian artists Johny Andonia and Faten Nastas Mitwasi.
It is unknown if the keffiyeh, manger, and baby have been removed in response to the criticism or because of the Advent tradition of waiting for Jesus’ arrival on Christmas Day. According to Premier Christian News, A spokesman for the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem said they were ‘relieved’ that the display had now been taken away.
As we reported last week, The Pope extolled his audience to “…remember the brothers and sisters who, instead, right there and in other parts of the world, are suffering from the tragedy of war. With tears in our eyes, let us raise our prayer for peace. Brothers and sisters, enough war, enough violence!” This is the latest in a series of comments the Pope has made about the conflict in Gaza.
In his remarks, the Pontiff addressed the Palestinian dignitaries in attendance. He welcomed “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.” PLO executive committee member Ramzi Khouri, conveyed “warm greetings” from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Other representatives of the Palestinian diaspora were also present at the ceremony.
Pope Francis has condemned the actions of the State of Israel multiple times since the start of the Israel-Hamas War. Francis stated, ” According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide.” He also asked for a “careful investigation” of Israeli military actions. He has previously described the behavior of the IDF as “a massacre” and ” terrorism.”
The Wall Street Journal, which is a strong supporter of Israel, strongly criticized the Pope’s views. In a written response, the WSJ editors remarked “There is something disturbing about a pope accusing Jews — the victims of genocide themselves — of genocide while they are fighting for survival on several fronts against enemies aiming to destroy them.”
The Israeli Embassy also voiced their complaints. “The massacre of October 7 was a genocidal massacre against the people of Israel. Israel is acting in accordance with international law and in self-defense. Any attempt to call this self-defense by another name is to single out the Jewish state.” In a post to their X account, the embassy strongly contested the comparison of Israel’s actions to genocide.
Edith Bruck a 93-year-old Hungarian-Jewish woman, who miraculously survived Auschwitz, Dachau, and Bergen-Belsen, also took issue with Pope Francis’ words. “Genocide is something else. When a million children are burned to death, then you can talk about genocide.” She says that the events in Gaza are a tragedy, but are not intended to wipe out all Palestinians.
The Times of Israel Staff also commented on the controversy. They disputed how the Pope characterized the war and drew attention to ‘antisemitic’ passages in the Book of John. “Israel categorically rejects that characterization of its conduct in the ongoing war, which began on October 7, 2023, when thousands of Hamas-led terrorists invaded southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, amid acts of brutality and sexual assault.”