Palestinian Pastor Rejects Netanyahu’s Narrative on Christians in Palestine
Rev. Dr. Jack Sara Says Israeli Leader’s Christmas Message Distorts Reality and Serves Political Propaganda
Palestine, PUREWILAYAH.COM - A Palestinian Christian pastor has sharply criticized recent statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the situation of Christians in Palestine, accusing him of promoting “half-truths” that serve a political narrative rather than reflect the lived reality of Palestinian Christians under occupation.
Netanyahu’s Narrative Is Politically Motivated
Rev. Dr. Jack Sara said Netanyahu’s recent Christmas greeting portrayed Israel as a “safe haven” where Christians thrive, while depicting Christians elsewhere in the region as endangered minorities.
According to Sara, this framing resonates with some Western Christian audiences but deliberately ignores the broader political and rights-based context facing Palestinian Christians.
Sara made the remarks in an article published by WAFA, stressing that the issue is not a single misleading statement but a recurring pattern in which Christians are highlighted only when useful to Israeli political messaging and disregarded when they speak about their real suffering.
Documented Attacks Ignored, Isolated Incidents Exploited
The Palestinian pastor pointed to repeated attacks by Israeli occupation forces and settlers on churches and clergy, as well as incidents of Christian cemetery desecration in Jerusalem. He also cited the arson attack on the Alliance Church in occupied West Jerusalem several years ago, noting the lack of serious accountability.
In contrast, Sara said Israeli officials amplify isolated incidents elsewhere for propaganda purposes.
He addressed Netanyahu’s reference to the burning of a Christmas tree in Jenin as alleged evidence of Christian vulnerability under Palestinian governance, explaining that the perpetrator was identified and arrested by the Palestinian Authority, a new tree was installed, and celebrations continued with the participation of Christian clergy, Muslim leaders, and official representatives.
Palestinian Christians: Not “Fragile Minorities”
Sara emphasized that Palestinian Christians are not “fragile minorities,” stating that they freely practice their faith, run schools and hospitals, and actively participate in public life. He stressed that the challenges they face are fundamentally political and stem from occupation, affecting Christians and Muslims alike.
He concluded that Netanyahu’s Christmas message was not an expression of genuine concern for Christians in the Holy Land, but a political statement that instrumentalizes faith to advance a specific narrative.
Sara called on the global church to stand with the full truth, even when it disrupts convenient and simplified stories. (PW)