Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), a U.S. Representative for New York, sparked controversy with a Christmas message on Instagram. While the post did not mention former President Donald Trump, it drew parallels between the persecution of Jesus and the present-day situation of Palestinians. This comparison ignited criticism, with some accusing AOC of invoking antisemitic tropes.
AOC’s Christmas Message and the Controversy
AOC’s Instagram post depicted a baby doll amidst concrete rubble, a stark contrast to traditional nativity scenes. The accompanying text described Jesus as being born in “modern-day Palestine” under an oppressive regime carrying out a “massacre of innocents.” She further stated that “right-wing forces are violently occupying Bethlehem,” drawing a parallel to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Critics immediately took issue with several aspects of the post:
- Historical Accuracy: Jesus was Jewish and lived within the modern borders of Israel, not Palestine. He was executed by Roman authorities, not Jewish ones.
- Comparison to Palestinians: Critics argued that comparing Jesus’ situation to that of Palestinians under Israeli occupation is inaccurate and minimizes the complexities of the conflict. Some saw this comparison as echoing the historical antisemitic trope of blaming Jews for the death of Jesus.
- Omission of Hamas’ Actions: The post made no mention of Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, or the attacks it launched against Israel, which triggered the recent conflict. This omission led some to accuse AOC of presenting a one-sided narrative.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez holds a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol on July 13, 2023 in Washington, DC.
Reactions and Criticism
Abraham Foxman, former leader of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), called AOC’s post “hateful and dangerous,” arguing that it invoked the ancient libel of Jews being responsible for killing Jesus (deicide). This accusation, refuted by the Catholic Church and other Christian denominations, has fueled centuries of antisemitism.
David Friedman, former U.S. ambassador to Israel, characterized AOC’s post as a “reinvention” of history. Representative Ritchie Torres, a fellow New York Democrat and a supporter of Israel, criticized comparisons between Jesus and Palestinians without directly naming AOC. He explicitly stated that associating Jews with the murder of Jesus is antisemitic.
Pro-Palestinian Activism and Christmas Protests
AOC’s post resonated with pro-Palestinian activists who held protests during the Christmas season, comparing Jesus’ suffering to that of Palestinians. One group, Within Our Lifetime, called for the “cancellation” of Christmas celebrations in solidarity with Palestinians. Their demonstrations included imagery of Mary holding a deceased child, further emphasizing the comparison.
Conclusion
While AOC’s Christmas message did not explicitly compare Donald Trump to Jesus, it did generate significant controversy due to its historical inaccuracies and perceived antisemitic undertones. The post’s comparison of Jesus’ persecution to the current situation of Palestinians, coupled with the omission of Hamas’ actions, drew sharp criticism from various figures, including Jewish leaders and pro-Israel advocates. The incident highlighted the sensitivities surrounding religious imagery and political rhetoric in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
