Not holding the procession of palms in protest means cancelling Christians’ presence in Palestine
The Catholic radio based in Taybeh reacts to Palestinian Christians who want Plam Sunday ceremonies cancelled this year to protest Israeli killings in Gaza and the West Bank. However, this tradition represents “resistance to injustice and victory over oppression, injustice, and death. To abandon it would mean abandoning a part of our Palestinian Christian identity.”
Ramallah (AsiaNews) – Cancelling the Palm Sunday procession in protest against the killing of Palestinians in Israel's endless war in Gaza and the West Bank is not a sign of solidarity, but a dangerous abdication of one of the main characteristics of the Holy Land, this according to an article posted today on the website of Radio Nabd.
On the eve of what is the moment of greatest visibility of the Christian community in the Holy Land, the Palestinian station run by the Catholic community of the Latin rite in Taybeh, takes a stand against those calling for a cancellation this year to protest against Israel’s military campaign that continues to sow death and destruction.
“Palm Sunday is not just a joyful celebration, but a deeply rooted religious ritual within the church’s liturgy,” reads the article signed by Palestinian Catholic journalist Sanad Sahelia.
“This ritual not only represents the joy of Christians, but also serves as a reminder of suffering and sacrifice for the sake of salvation. Therefore, calls to cancel the ‘procession’ may threaten not only religious practices but the very identity of Palestinian Christians themselves.”
“Some voices claim that canceling the Palm Sunday procession could be an expression of solidarity with the martyrs and the wounded in Gaza and the West Bank,” the article on Radio Nabd goes on to say.
“However, solidarity does not mean compromising religious and traditional identity. While canceling this ritual may appear to be an act of solidarity, in reality, it is a concession of a fundamental part of our heritage.”
In fact, “This religious tradition is not just a celebration of joy; it is part of our history, representing resistance to injustice and victory over oppression, suffering, and death. To disregard it means disregarding a part of our Palestinian Christian identity.”
Sahelia notes that in this time of war violence against Christians is up, their churches and their holy places targeted, “in most cases are young Jewish extremists tied to religious nationalism.”
“In this context, we find that the calls to cancel the Palm Sunday procession coincide – whether intentionally or not – with these attacks, raising questions about the impact this could have on protecting the Palestinian Christian identity and preserving their heritage.”
Palm Sunday procession in Palestine “represents a living symbol of our existence in this land. If we begin to accept the idea of canceling these rituals, we may be starting to accept the notion of being separated from this heritage.
“We must all stand against these calls and hold on to our history, our rituals, and our heritage that ties us to this holy land. Our collective responsibility is to preserve this religious tradition and ensure that Christians in Palestine remain an essential part of the history and community of this land.”
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12/04/2017 16:14
