According to The Jerusalem Post, Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, Amichai Chikli, has issued a strongly-worded letter accusing Pope Francis of perpetuating “dangerous blood libel” against Israel.
Chikli’s criticism comes after two Vatican actions stirred controversy: First, the Pope’s suggestion that allegations of genocide in Gaza “should be carefully investigated” and second, a nativity display depicting baby Jesus wrapped in a keffiyeh, a symbol often associated with Palestinian nationalism.
The nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square, created by Bethlehem artists, Johny Andonia and Faten Nastas Mitwasi, featured Jesus wrapped in a keffiyeh and was crafted with materials like olive wood and mother-of-pearl.
The display, titled “Nativity of Bethlehem 2024,” aimed to symbolize peace but sparked accusations of historical distortion. During the unveiling, Pope Francis condemned war and violence, declaring, “Enough with wars, enough of violence!”
Chikli, however, viewed the scene differently. “Jesus was born to a Jewish mother, lived as a Jew, and died as a Jew,” he asserted. “Portraying Jesus as a Palestinian Arab is a deliberate attempt to rewrite history.” He argued that the display aligns with what he called the “Palestinian narrative” aimed at erasing the Jewish historical connection to Bethlehem.
The minister further criticized the Pope’s remarks on Gaza, particularly the use of the term “genocide.” He emphasized that such language trivializes the Holocaust—a sensitive topic for a nation that lost six million Jews during World War II. “As a nation that suffered the horrors of the Holocaust, we are especially sensitive to the misuse of the term ‘genocide,’” he wrote.
Chikli also referenced the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which he described as “savage.” He detailed atrocities committed by Hamas, including massacres, rapes, and kidnappings. “This is what we are fighting against,” he stressed. “It is astonishing that this even needs to be explained to the world.”
Chikli highlighted Bethlehem’s deep-rooted significance in Jewish history, noting it as the burial site of matriarch Rachel and the birthplace of King David. He dismissed comparisons between Israel’s military actions and genocide as “a disgusting attempt to rewrite history.” Referencing the Holocaust, he recalled how 845,000 Jews were murdered at Treblinka, underscoring the gravity of the term genocide.
Despite the criticism, Chikli acknowledged Pope Francis’ past efforts to strengthen Jewish-Christian relations, particularly through meetings with Jewish leaders and the families of Israeli hostages. As the 60th anniversary of the Nostra Aetate Declaration approaches—a landmark in Jewish-Christian relations—Chikli urged the Pope to reject harmful narratives.
“Truth and God are one,” he concluded. “We ask you to stand for the truth.” To Get More News About This Article, Click The Button Below.