Indeed, this hasn't been a very merry Christmas amid a surging pandemic that has roused concerns and growing isolation. And it's not just Christians who fear the pandemic, but Jews, Israelis, too, who have adorned their homes with Christmas decorations.
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It's worth noting the leaders of various Christian denominations have unreservedly called on their followers to get vaccinated in recent days. The leader of the Anglican Communion, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, however, used the holiday to bless the members of his church, but also to admonish us, the Israelis. Welby was joined by the Archbishop of Jerusalem, Hosam Naoum, who warned in a recent article in the Sunday Times about a crisis of Christian survival "in the Holy Land."
They warned this crisis was being brought about through the desecration of churches and attacks, both physical and verbal, on priests, monks and worshipers by Jewish extremist groups. The Foreign Ministry said in response that Israel was committed to protecting freedom of worship and access to the holy sites.
These claims are not completely baseless. Let us not forget, for example, the arson attack at the Tabgha Church of the Loaves and Fish on the Sea of Galilee, or that priests have been spit on in the Old City of Jerusalem. With these acts of violence, Jewish extremists tarnish Israel's name in the eyes of the Christian world.
The state is responsible for safeguarding the most sacred religious sites in Christianity, aside from Bethlehem, which was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority. Under Israel's jurisdiction are the Church of Nativity, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Church Of Annunciation in Nazareth, and many more sites that gave birth to the Christian religion. It's not for nothing that the Archbishop of Canterbury is complaining about extremists in Israel, whose actions are expediting the process of a dwindling Christian population here.
We can, of course, remind the Anglican leaders that Palestinian Islamic extremists have played a much larger role in harming Christian institutions in Israel. The Christian population in Bethlehem, Jesus' birthplace, has shrunk due to the harassment perpetrated by Islamic extremists there.
The Vatican wants to amend its dismal history with the Jewish people, but it still has an important debt to pay: The Vatican must unreservedly open its doors for scientific and historical research to reveal the role of the "Silent Pope," Pius XII, during the Holocaust. The expansive reach and broad influence of the many denominational Church leaders means we must honor and respect this important population and its customs. However, the fragile coexistence will be exceedingly difficult to preserve if acts of Jewish extremism and violence persist.
Through her activities, Yisca Harani, an Israeli lecturer, adviser, researcher, and guide in the field of Christian history and pilgrimage, embodies coexistence, tolerance, and understanding with the Christians living here with us. Her lectures in her field of expertise are fascinating, yet mainly build bridges by filling in the knowledge gaps about this important religion, whose influence on the world stage must be appreciated. What is Christianity? What are Buddhism and Islam? These religions, along with others, should be taught in our educational system – not merely for the sake of expanding knowledge but to increase tolerance and curtail extremism.
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