CNN
A Catholic priest got here on CNN on Christmas to say Jesus was a persecuted Palestinian — and that the story of his start incorporates parallels to what is going on on within the Middle East.
Father Edward Beck — an everyday contributor — joined Monday morning’s anchors to debate the subject of the way to preserve religion alive this vacation season with every part occurring on this planet … specifically, the struggle between Israel and Hamas, with Palestinians caught within the center.
He mentioned the story of Xmas was really certainly one of a “Palestinian Jew” — noting how extraordinary it’s to listen to these 2 phrases put collectively. Father Beck went on to say JC was born into an occupied nation, and that his mom and father (Mary/Joseph) had been pressured to flee into Egypt as refugees … which is technically appropriate, so far as the Bible’s involved.
Beck went on to say the identical form of factor is happening proper now in 2023 — and whereas he did not outright come out as explicitly pro-Palestine … that is how his remarks had been perceived.
In reality, there’s a whole lot of handwringing taking place on-line over the suggestion that Jesus was Palestinian … and that he would possibly’ve recognized extra so with the present Palestinian plight over that of Israelis. As many have identified on-line, Palestine did not even exist again then.
On the flip facet, neither did the state of Israel as we at present realize it … however the one factor that is plain is that JC was Jewish, for no matter’s that price on this raging debate.
You needs to be ashamed of your self, distorting what I mentioned like that. Sowing extra division.
(And I’d suppose you’ll know that the “state of Israel” got here into existence in 1948.)
Merry Christmas!— Father Edward L. Beck (@FrEdwardBeck) December 25, 2023
@FrEdwardBeck
Father Beck has defended what he mentioned in some back-and-forths on-line. Again, some took his phrases right here to indicate that Jesus was extra so Palestinian/Arab than he was Jewish — however Beck says his phrases are being twisted, and his bigger message of peace/unity overshadowed.
He’s additionally posted articles that reference the usage of the phrase “Palestinian” traditionally — and the way it’s apparently been employed to establish Muslims, Jews and others who’ve lived in that area courting again millennia. In different phrases, Father Beck’s doubling down on the notion Jesus was Palestinian … and that him additionally being Jewish does not essentially contradict that.
It’s a doozy of a dialog, for certain … and it is ignited a fury on either side, it appears. As Jesus himself would possibly’ve mentioned in additional eloquent phrases — cannot all of us simply get alongside, guys???