Palestinian Father: If Jesus Was Born Today, He Would Be Born Under Ruins'

The Christmas tree made of building debris at the Evangelis Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, West Bank on December 4, 2023. (Hisham KK Abu Shaqra - Anadolu Agency)

BETHLEHEM - Pastor Munther Isaac described the situation in Gaza as genocide, and stressed that the Palestinian people will recover soon.

The head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bethlehem and Beit Sahour, Father Munther Isaac said that "If Jesus Christ was born today, he would be born under the rubble," referring to the brutal Israeli war in the Gaza Strip.

At an event in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve, he said, "What happened in Gaza is genocide, and Palestinians will rise, as usual, and recover, but they will not accept an apology from those participating in this genocide." he said.

"This year, Christmas is back at the time of death and destruction is spreading, and debris is covering our land," Isaac said as quoted by Anodulu Agency, Monday, December 25.

"In Gaza at this time, Jesus is under the rubble and in the operating room," he added.

Celebrating this year is difficult for us, our families, and our loved ones. Our people in Gaza are facing ethnic cleansing,'' said Pastor, emphasizing that ''what is happening in Gaza is genocide against the Palestinian people.'

Palestinian Christians have decided to limit their Christmas celebrations to religious rituals due to the ongoing conflict.

Israel bombarded Gaza Strip since cross-border attacks by Palestinian group Hamas on October 7, killing at least 20,424 Palestinians, most of the victims were women and children, according to local health authorities.