How strange it is that even as the Palestinian Christians of Bethlehem and Nazareth live under occupation and while the Christian population of Gaza has been almost entirely eradicated—leaving no Churches standing in much of Palestine—many Christmas speeches this year will not dare to utter a word about Israel’s ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people.

The story at the heart of this season, the Nativity, holds striking parallels with the plight of Palestine. And yet, here we are.

In the Christian telling of the Nativity, Mary and Joseph were a young couple forced to travel far from home by a Government decree under Roman occupation. Like millions of Palestinians in Gaza today, they found no room in an inn.

Jesus was born in Palestine. He lived in Palestine, he died in the territories that are now under Israeli occupation. His entire life unfolded under the shadow of foreign rule and oppression. And yet, few will acknowledge the echoes of this story in the ongoing apartheid and occupation of Palestine.

The Christian narrative, retold in schools and churches worldwide, often involves children wearing tea towels to represent the traditional keffiyeh—now a powerful symbol of Palestinian solidarity. But more than a year after what can only be described as the annihilation of the people of Gaza, these parallels remain largely ignored.

Will anyone wonder this Christmas how Santa might reach Palestinian Christians in the occupied territories and Gaza? Or will we hear:

“Latest reports indicate that Israeli F-16s have shot down a fat, bearded terrorist in a red suit attempting to infiltrate Israeli airspace. All Israeli aircraft are safe, though some reindeer, deemed hostile, were neutralised. Father Christmas’ whereabouts remain unknown.”

As absurd as this may sound, the reality for Palestinian Christians is far grimmer. Not even this can compel our elected representatives to speak out against the ongoing oppression and violence in the land where Jesus himself was born.

This Christmas, remember Palestine.

Remember their resilience, their steadfastness, and their ongoing struggle for justice.