Vatican Removes Nativity Scene Depicting Jesus in a Keffiyeh After Backlash

The Vatican has removed a controversial nativity display that featured the infant Jesus wrapped in a keffiyeh following widespread backlash. The scene, presented last weekend at Paul VI Hall in the presence of Pope Francis, sparked outrage from Jewish and Christian leaders, who accused the Vatican of distorting historical facts for political purposes.

The display was unveiled during a ceremony attended by Ramzi Khouri, a member of the Palestinian Liberation Organization’s executive committee. While Pope Francis called for peace in his address, saying, “Enough wars, enough violence,” the nativity scene quickly drew fierce criticism for portraying Jesus as a Palestinian.

Jewish organizations voiced their strong objections. B’nai B’rith International wrote on social media platform X, “Disturbed by the Vatican display of a Palestinian-made nativity scene featuring Jesus in a keffiyeh... This isn’t just politicization, but revisionism. It presents (only) Palestinians as innocent victims and Jesus as a Palestinian, not a Jew.”

Christian leaders shared similar sentiments. David Parsons, senior vice president of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, welcomed the Vatican’s decision to take down the display. “Millions of Christians worldwide were instantly incensed by this exhibit ahead of the Christmas season,” Parsons stated. “It would be theological malpractice for the Holy See to allow this display to remain. For if Jesus was a Palestinian Arab, then he would not have qualified to be Christ, the promised messiah and savior of the world.”

The portrayal of Jesus as a Palestinian reflects a modern political narrative that undermines historical reality. Jesus was born a Jew in Judea, lived as a Jew, and died as a Jew under Roman rule. The region’s name was only changed to “Palestine” by Roman authorities decades after Jesus’s crucifixion, as part of an effort to erase Jewish ties to the land.

The removal of the display underscores the sensitivity of politicizing religious history, particularly at a time when tensions in the Middle East remain high. Jewish and Christian communities have made it clear that any attempt to rewrite the story of Jesus, a central figure of both faiths, will not be tolerated.

By taking decisive action, the Vatican avoided further division among believers and reaffirmed the importance of historical truth.

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