Critics have accused Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of “Jew hate” for a Christmas-themed post where she compared Palestinians to Jesus and referred to Israel as a violent occupying force. In an Instagram story, the New York Democrat shared a photograph of a child in the Gaza Strip, accompanied by a message of prayer “for the peace and protection of the innocent in Gaza and the occupied territories.”
Ocasio-Cortez went on to draw a comparison between the birth of Jesus and the situation in modern-day Palestine. She noted the threat of a government engaged in a massacre of innocents in the Christmas story, highlighting Jesus as part of a targeted population subjected to indiscriminate killing to protect the power of an unjust leader. She also made a point to mention Mary and Joseph, who were displaced by violence and forced to flee, becoming refugees in Egypt with a newborn and waiting to one day return home.
Critics were quick to attack Ocasio-Cortez, who has previously faced accusations of anti-Semitism. Some accused her of using the Christmas story to push a political agenda. Ocasio-Cortez’s decision to refer to Israel as an occupying force also drew criticism, with some arguing that it ignores the complex political situation in the region.
Ocasio-Cortez’s post comes at a time when tensions between Israel and Palestine are high. In December, the United States announced its recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, sparking protests across the Middle East. The move was met with widespread condemnation from Palestinians and other Arab nations.
In response to criticism of her Christmas Eve post, Ocasio-Cortez has defended her decision to draw parallels between the nativity story and the situation in modern-day Palestine. She has argued that the message of Christmas is one of peace and justice, and that it is important to remember those who are suffering during the holiday season.
It should be noted that Ocasio-Cortez’s post may have received additional controversy due to the use of false information. “Thousands of years later, right-wing forces are violently occupying Bethlehem as similar stories unfold for today’s Palestinians, so much so that the Christian community in Bethlehem has canceled this year’s Christmas Eve celebrations out of both [fear for their] safety and respect,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote.
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