In a controversial CNN segment, Catholic Priest, Father Edward Beck, sparked intense backlash by attempting to link the “story of Christmas” to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, describing Jesus as a “Palestinian Jew.”
Beck, addressing the pain and suffering prevalent during the holiday season, said, “I think the message of Christmas is that God enters into it with us and we’re not alone in it.”
“What I’m so struck by is that the story of Christmas is about a Palestinian Jew- how often do you find those words put together? A Palestinian Jew born into a time when his country was occupied, right? They can’t find a place for her to even give birth, his mother. They’re homeless. They eventually have to flee as refugees into Egypt, no less. I mean, you can’t make up the parallels to our current world situation right now,” Beck asserted.
He continued, “And so in some way, that is who we believe God becomes born into that situation and yet, that very man, Jesus, says love one another, love your enemies. There is hope. There is light in the darkness. I’m attesting to that. So somehow that God enters that experience of suffering and that struggle and is actually born into it. That is what is so miraculous about this celebration for me.”
The response to Beck’s remarks was immediate and scathing. Critics from various corners condemned his historical interpretation.
New York Post columnist Karol Markowicz expressed her disbelief, saying, “This is embarrassingly wrong.”
Hussain Abdul-Hussain from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies pointedly corrected Beck, “Because you know how in Matthew 15:24 Jesus said ‘I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,’ by Israel Jesus meant Palestine. Father Beck has to stop watching Al-Jazeera and start reading the New Testament.”
Conservative radio host Erick Erickson and GOP strategist Steve Guest also criticized the narrative, with Erickson commenting, “How can the press signal itself not really connected to the people? Put on commentary like this,” and Guest remarking, “The war on Christmas is even more pernicious this year courtesy of CNN.”
In defense, Beck turned to X, referencing a Britannica article titled “Jewish Palestine at the time of Jesus” and sharing a quote, “remembering that the name ‘Palestinian’ has long referred to Muslims, Jews, and others who have lived in that part of the world for generations.”
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Despite his efforts, the uproar continued. Avi Kaner, founder of Samwawal Foundations, accused Beck of inciting hate, stating, “We all heard you on CNN today, claiming that Jesus was a Palestinian Jew, and comparing his plight with Palestinians today being forced to ‘flee into Egypt.’ Shame on you for inciting hate reminiscent of blood libels.”
Beck, in a final attempt at clarification, replied, “Sorry you heard what you wanted to hear. But my message was one of unity and solidarity—with both Israel, and with suffering Palestinians. The more we accentuate our differences, the less love there will be in the world.”
Rabbi Shmuley commented, “Turns out Jesus was a Palestinian whose mother was persecuted by the state of Israel. He wasn’t a Jew, who was killed by the Romans. Rather, he was a Palestinian Arab whom the Jews persecuted and, for good measure, tried to murder his mom.”
“I’ve debated this unfortunately extremely ignorant and foolish Father Edward Beck on television before. But he has reached a new low, and should be chastised by the Vatican for not only spreading fake news, but for lying outright about the contents of the New Testament and the Christian Bible. Rarely have I seen a Priest speak with such abysmal, shocking, antisemitism, and ignorance,” he asserted.
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Beck responded, “You should be ashamed of yourself, distorting what I said like that. Sowing more division. (And I would think you would know that the “state of Israel” came into existence in 1948.) Merry Christmas!”
The segment was not only political but deeply concerning. How can a man of the cloth assert there was no Israel before 1948? Has this priest never actually read the bible? Could this really be the position of the Vatican? It is stunning.