A Catholic priest named Father Edward Beck made an appearance on CNN during Christmas, where he shared the perspective that Jesus, in his view, was a persecuted individual from Palestine. He drew parallels between the story of Jesus’ birth and the ongoing events in the Middle East.
Father Beck, a regular contributor to the network, joined the anchors on Monday morning to discuss the topic of maintaining faith during this holiday season, considering the tumultuous situations occurring worldwide. Specifically, the conversation revolved around the Israel-Hamas conflict, with Palestinians finding themselves caught in the midst of it.
Father Beck shared an intriguing perspective, emphasizing that the Christmas story portrays Jesus as a “Palestinian Jew,” a combination of words that carries significant weight. He highlighted that Jesus was born in an occupied land, and his parents, Mary and Joseph, were compelled to seek refuge in Egypt as refugees. This aligns with the biblical narrative. Father Beck further suggested that similar circumstances are unfolding in the present year of 2023. While he did not explicitly declare his stance as pro-Palestine, his remarks were interpreted as such by some.
There has been considerable debate and discussion online regarding the notion that Jesus was Palestinian and potentially empathized more with the contemporary Palestinian struggle than with that of Israelis. Some online commentators have raised the point that Palestine did not exist during Jesus’ time. Conversely, it is also true that the current state of Israel did not exist in its present form. However, one undeniable fact is that Jesus was Jewish, and this holds significance in the ongoing passionate discourse surrounding this topic.
Father Beck has been engaged in online discussions, defending his statements and clarifying that his words have been misconstrued. While some interpreted his remarks as suggesting that Jesus identified more with being Palestinian or Arab rather than Jewish, Father Beck asserts that his intention was to promote peace and unity, which has been overshadowed in the ensuing conversation.
Furthermore, Father Beck has shared articles that highlight the historical usage of the term “Palestinian” to encompass individuals of various religious backgrounds, including Muslims, Jews, and others who have resided in the region for thousands of years. In essence, Father Beck is reaffirming his belief that Jesus being Palestinian does not necessarily contradict his Jewish identity.
Destruction in Gaza
Indeed, it is quite a substantial and impassioned conversation that has sparked intense emotions from both sides. As Jesus himself may have eloquently expressed, can’t we all simply find common ground and coexist harmoniously, my friend?
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