WINNIPEG — A recent social media repost by the Mennonite Church Manitoba Working Group on Palestine and Israel, featuring a message by Palestinian Christian activist Shadia Qubti, is facing pushback from Jewish organizations and scholars who say the framing politicizes the Nativity story and misrepresents both history and the current conflict.
The post claims that “Mary’s journey to Bethlehem” mirrors the experiences of Palestinian women today and references Gaza as a site of “genocide,” language that advocacy groups say is not supported by verified evidence from credible international monitors. It further positions Bethlehem as part of “Palestine,” a term critics say is used to obscure the continuous Jewish presence in Judea and Samaria and the historical context of the region during the time of Jesus.
Concerns About Historical Accuracy
Historians note that at the time of Mary and Joseph, Bethlehem existed under Roman occupation within the Land of Israel, home to Jewish communities with deep ancestral ties to the land. The Hebrew Bible and Christian Scriptures emphasize Bethlehem’s identity as the City of David, central to Jewish history long before contemporary political claims emerged.
Jewish scholars contacted for this article argue that the repost promotes a narrative detached from historical fact. “Bethlehem was a Judean town, populated by Jews, and rooted in millennia of Jewish tradition,” one expert said. “Recasting it as a symbol of modern Palestinian nationalism is historically inaccurate.”
Claims of Genocide Challenged
The accusation of “genocide in Gaza,” included in the repost, has been rejected by multiple governments and legal experts who say the term carries a specific legal meaning under the UN Genocide Convention. Israeli officials state that military operations in Gaza target Hamas, the group responsible for the October 7 massacre in which 1,200 people were murdered and more than 250 taken hostage.
According to the Israel Defense Forces, operations are conducted to minimize civilian casualties, including through warnings and evacuation corridors. These details are missing from the Mennonite Group’s repost, which critics argue contributes to a one-sided narrative that misleads faith communities.
Faith Leaders Warn Against the Politicization of Scripture
Christian theologians caution against interpreting the Nativity through modern political lenses. They note that Mary and Joseph travelled to Bethlehem because of a Roman census, not due to warfare displacement. Theologians contacted by this publication emphasize that selectively applying biblical imagery risks distorting the Gospels’ message.
One Christian scholar stated that “invoking the Nativity to advance a contemporary political argument undermines both Scripture and historical truth. It also risks inflaming tensions by equating ancient Jewish figures with modern political identities.”
Jewish Community Reacts
Jewish organizations in Manitoba say the repost contributes to rising antisemitism by framing Israelis and Jews as oppressors in a narrative stripped of context. They note that Christian communities have a responsibility to avoid language that delegitimizes the Jewish right to self-determination in their historic homeland.
“Using religious imagery to portray Israel as the villain reinforces harmful stereotypes about Jews and contributes to a hostile environment,” one community representative said. “It is especially concerning from a faith-based organization that should be committed to dialogue and understanding.”
A Call for Responsible Engagement
Observers stress that discussions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be grounded in historical accuracy, verified facts, and recognition of the complexities involved. Jewish leaders urge faith groups to avoid messaging that erases Jewish indigeneity or promotes claims not substantiated by credible sources.
