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I have been surprised by the viral response this image has provoked. Some thought it was addressing Trump's border wall. Among those who correctly identified the West Bank Border Wall there were especially heated reactions, many from Israeli Jews.

Dec 10, 2019 · 7:51 PM UTC

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While Israelis are themselves divided about the purpose/impact of the wall, I realize, given history of Xtian anti-Semitism, some are offended by the mobilization of Xtian symbols to criticize Israeli policy. For a different conversation, see my my essay here (@jonmsweeney):
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For a Palestinian Christian perspective, see Mitri Raheb's "Faith in the Face of Empire." For a prophetic Jewish perspective: Rabbi Nahum Ward Lev's "The Liberating Path of the Hebrew Prophets." For fruitful dialogue: Rabbi Amy Eilberg, "From Enemy to Friend." All @orbisbooks
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Replying to @RobertEllsberg
How many reactions did you have about the fact that they didn't want to go to Bethlehem - were forced to by government they were citizens of to take a census? Same government then tried to slaughter every baby boy?
Replying to @RobertEllsberg
the wall at Bethlehem wasn’t put there for shits and giggles. Israelis were being murdered by Palestinian terrorists and the wall stopped most of that. but hey, let’s coopt biblical Jews & pretend Israel is apartheid.
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Replying to @RobertEllsberg
The response is more to do with the incredible ignorance exhibited by creator of the image - i.e., Mary & Joseph were traveling because of the mandated census of Judea, not because they were trying to cross an anti-terrorism barrier🤦‍♂️
Replying to @RobertEllsberg
Robert, the reality is that if Jesus were alive today and tried to enter Samaria, Judea or Bethlehem he would be killed as a Jew. That wall has saved lives on both sides, somehow these historic locations have been colonized by Arabs after Jordanian invasion in 1947.
Replying to @RobertEllsberg
You do know that the wall was built after spade of bombings in Israel which claimed over 1000 lives in Israel.
Replying to @RobertEllsberg
Heated reaction!!! What the bloody hell do you expect? Just from 2000 to 2003 before wall was built over 200 Israelis were killed due to terrorism by Palestinians. From 1990s to 2000 another 1000.
Replying to @RobertEllsberg
Nazareth is on the Israeli side of the border even though predominantly populated by Arabs