Christmas is Canceled
In light of the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the West Bank, the Church of Bethlehem has officially canceled Christmas to honor the 20,000 Palestinian martyrs whose lives were senselessly taken by the Israeli government.
“If Jesus is to be born again this time, this year, he will be born in Gaza under the rubble in solidarity with the people of Gaza.” –
Munther Ishaq (Lutheran pastor in the West Bank)
Considering that Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, and the celebration of his birth is at the heart of the Christmas holiday, PFOF stands in solidarity with the people of Palestine by calling on the global north to TAKE ACTION:
THE CHRISTMAS IS CANCELED CAMPAIGN
This is not a call to cancel the joy that comes with the holiday season. However, we believe that we can all do our part to abandon traditions that aid oppressive institutions that are in complete discord with the mercies we are meant to be celebrating. Namely, peace with and love for one another. The grim absence of these mercies in Gaza, is an absence of them everywhere.
Thus, PFOF intends to harness our holiday energy into expressions of liberty and justice for all.
The Christmas Is Canceled Campaign is a checklist of proactive actions you and your loved ones can take to show your solidarity to the Palestinian people this holiday season:
ENGAGE in the real “spirit of giving”:
Time is the most precious gift that can be given. Start the conversation with your children and loved ones on the importance of making sacrifices for those in need. Remind them that the people of Gaza have had everything destroyed and taken from them and that, through their empathy and sacrifice, they can help restore some of their loss.
AVOID spending at conglomerates
In lieu of investing in hyper-consumerism this year that only seeks to promote corporate greed, spend the time with loved ones by creating home-made gifts. These gifts would not only be more meaningful, but would aid in the divestment of a capitalist system which causes unnecessary global suffering.
INVEST in the indigenous
Capitalism promotes and encourages the erasure of the indigenous population globally. One way that we can reverse this erasure is by directly investing in indigenous commerce.
Instead of defaulting to the big brand chains, take a moment to find an indigenous vendor in your local area to support ie: Palestinian, African, North and South American indigenous shops. When our money is being used to fund wars that don’t align with our values, we need to spend our money with greater intention.
INFLUENCE the discourse in your community
For many, a place of worship and congregation is a sacred embodiment of our values and virtues. Reach out to your community and religious leaders and encourage them to make Liberation theology the topic of services.
DONATE to humanitarian and rebuilding efforts
- Palestine Children Relief Fund
- Save the Children
- Anera
- Medical Aid For Palestinians
- Palestine Red Crescent Society
DECORATE your home with solidarity
The Palestinian national colors are conveniently on brand with the traditional Christmas pallet. Get creative with your holiday decorating this year and incorporate an homage to Palestine on your front lawn, dinner table centerpiece, or front door.
SCREEN a Palestinian Film
Instead of going to the box office, VOD one of our ten hand-picked Palestinian films to screen with your loved ones and neighbors at home.
Fiction Features
It Must Be Heaven (2019) dir. Elia Suleiman
200 meters (2020) dir. Ameen Nayfeh
Wajib (2017) dir. Annemarie Jacir
The Time That Remains (2009) dir. Elia Suleiman
Omar (2013) dir. Hany Abu-Assad
Amreeka (2009) dir. Cherien Dabis
Divine Intervention (2002) dir. Elia Suleiman
Gaza Mon Amour (2020) dir. Arab Nasser and Tarzan Nasser
Documentaries
Al-Nakba: The Palestinian Catastrophe 1948 (1997) dir. Benny Brunner, Alexandra Jansse
The War in June 1967 (2017) edited by Al Jazeera
5 Broken Cameras (2011) dir. Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi
Jenin, Jenin (2002) dir. Mohammed Bakri
A World Not Ours (2012) dir. Mahdi Fleifel
Stitching Palestine (2017) dir. Carol Mansour
Gaza Surf Club (2016) dir. Philip Gnadt and Mickey Yamine