One might think that not having an Xmas tree in Knesset is a given but this is not the case. Last week MK (Hadash) Dr. Hanna Swaid requested that a tree be placed in Knesset for Christian lawmakers such as him.
Swaid feels the placement of a holiday tree is a proper gesture for him and other Christian residents of Israel. He explains that many Jews around the world will have a Xmas tree as well during the holiday season.
Seeking to strengthen his position, Swaid states the tree would be a clear message of support and solidarity with the Christian community against recent price tag attacks, showing Knesset disapproval of these unwanted vandalism attacks.
In his response, Speaker Yuli Edelstein stated “There is nothing preventing you from placing a tree in your office of that of your party but I do not feel it is fitting for Knesset as you are requesting.”
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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12 Responses
Nothing in this article points to it NOT being a given. Just because a Christian MK suggested it, (and then was properly rejected by the Speaker), does not make it even close to being a given that it would happen.
YWH could not come up with anything more (unnecessarily) inflammatory? Must be a very slow news day.
The fact that some dib politician would even think of such a thing should cause us all to fast many ta’naysim.
Lets see this fool ask for a tree to be put up in the WAQF office?
It’s interesting that he’s aware of how assimilated Jews are around the world, that many r”l have a tree.
If this was a request made by Israeli Christians, and especially from pro-zionist Arab Christians (many of whom strongly prefer zionist to Islamic rule), it would be reasonable. However the “tree” is a custom only of American and west European Christians (it is derived from a western pre-Christian winter holiday), meaning the debate is about pandering to American christians and more importantly to Jews trying to be as unJewish as possible by adopting American christian minhagim.
Why not have an xmas tree? The place is already a makom tinuf and the trees would go well with the blue and white shmattahs.
Swaid said, “Many Jews around the world will have a Xmas tree as well during the holiday season.” What type of Jew is he referring to? Jews that are assimilated into American culture, ר״ל!
Since we are talking about a tree in the knesset why not at the kossel? To even talk about this is crazy is this a jewish sate or what?
It’s about time Knesset stood up for something Jewish!
Many secular MKs are embarrassed with the Knesset’s Jewish characteristic and would feel more comfortable with a tree and santa like the rest of the world.
#5- I strongly suspect that YOU have a tree. Why wouldn’t you? It cannot be that you are Jewish. If you were, you would not have so much time on your hands as to sit by your pc ALL DAY and wait for a chance to say something negative about Israel. You have been exposed for the phony you are!!
Yanky55
You obviously don’t see enough of his comments because if you did, you wouldn’t say something soooooooo off base.