Jerusalem City Hall decided once again this year to supply coniferous trees to Christian residents prior to X-Mas and the Christian New Year. However, Jewish residents from the city protested the decision as the tree symbolizes X-Mas.
According to the Jewish protesters, it is absurd for the city to distribute clear Christian symbols in city centers, while city workers are not seen distributing Jewish paraphernalia to Jewish residents for Jewish holidays. “There is no lack of Jewish holidays which they could choose from,” said one resident sarcastically to local Israeli media outlet Mynet.
City Councillor Arieh King responded to the complaints and said: “As opposed to what the resident claim, the Holiday of Chanukah is celebrated by the city in a very Jewish style. City Hall sets up Menorahs all over public spaces as well as special celebratory lighting and events that allow for all residents of the city to feel the holiday vibe.”
According to a City Hall spokesperson: “The distribution of the coniferous trees is something that has taken place for many years under Mayors from all different backgrounds. It is part of the policy of the city to encourage the welfare of all different races and religions who live here while allowing for the freedom of religion and expression. It is important to note that City Hall respects all religions and invests budgetary allotments for special lighting for Chanukah, (and lehavdil) X-Mas and Ramadan.”
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9 Responses
Reason!
Because this is a Jewish state.
All tisgor bom.
The city is correct. We don’t act like the goyim and arabs who seek to eliminate every jewish symbol from their cities. Jerusalem is and always will be a holy site to over 1.5 billion Christians throughout the world. We are not endorsing their holidays or beliefs by these tree distributions. This has been done for over 40 years or maybe even longer by mayors from all political parties. One of the other reasons this is done is to discourage the random cutting down of conifer trees from sensitive areas and instead distribute trees that were meant to be harvested for this purpose.
Title should be “SOME” Jewish residents.
City spokesman answered very well
A tree does not symbolize X-mas. It is a derivation of a pagan custom that has no connection to X-mas whatsoever. In America, millions of non-Jews erect a tree who otherwise profess little belief in their faith, much less ever step foot in a church.
If it will make you happy, be aware that the municipal government has a policy that no trees are distributed to anyone wearing streimlach and bekeshe or anyone who claims they intend to use the branches for schach next year on succos.
Hope you tzionim are happy with your treifina medina handing out cratzmich trees. And to Arizona above, I’m sorry but it’s quite clear from your comment that you know NOTHING about the איסור דאורייתא of ובחוקותיהם לא תלכו. It makes no difference if the tree is a xstian symbol or of some other avoda zora, it s STILL quite אסור, either because of עבודה זרה or because of ובחוקותיהם לא תלכו.
Do they hand out s’chach for Succos too?
This shameful practice has been going on for decades. Next time you think about contributing to the JNF and other organizations that “plant trees on Tu Be’Shvat to help “re-forest Eretz Yisroel,”etc. — think about what might eventually happen to that tree.
Instead of distributing free bottles of olive oil before Chanukah, people end up paying even more than usual for it. Because most stores raise their prices for oil.