Christmas Message from Dr. Khouloud Daibes, Palestinian Ambassador to Germany

Christmas Message from Dr. Khouloud Daibes, Palestinian Ambassador to Germany Christmas is traditionally a time of hope and joy. In Palestine, we have the privelege of having three celebrations according to the Catholic, Orthodox and Armenian calendars, which take place in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ. Christmas is a national celebration here, and our President, Mahmoud Abbas, participates in all of the festivities. It is also time to reflect on the year that has passed and give thought to all of those around the world who are less fortunate. Our particular thoughts, this year, go to the people of Gaza, still trying to rebuild their lives after the devastation of the summer; to the people of Jerusalem, struggling against attempts to further strip them of their rights and erase their identity in the city; to the Palestinians in Israel, who continue their struggle for collective rights as an indigenous national community in the face of institutionalized discrimination, such as the proposed nation-state bill. We remember the thousands who have lost their lives at the hands of Israeli soldiers and settlers throughout Palestine, those killed demonstrating for their basic human rights, or because, within their own homeland, they were simply deemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Only a few days ago, we lost our dear colleague, Minister Ziad Abu Ein, who was killed by Israeli soldiers while planting olive trees during an event marking International Human Rights Day, near Ramallah. While we sit with our families and break bread, we think of those who are not able to be with their loved ones: those who are separated by a huge concrete wall cutting across their towns and villages; children in prison cells for throwing stones at soldiers with guns. While we pray in Bethlehem we think of those Palestinians who cannot come to Bethlehem: particularly the people of Gaza, encircled and besieged, and our refugees in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and elsewhere who have now been in exile for over 66 years. These injustices must come to an end. But 2014 has also brought moments of joy, and there is only space to give a few examples here. In April, the second official Palestine marathon took place in Bethlehem, attracting runners from Palestine and all over the world. More and more of our younger generation have started running clubs under the banner of the ‘Right to Movement’, which is currently denied to most Palestinians. This undertaking gives them a sense of being able to achieve something both physically and mentally, and to channel their energies positively against the dire circumstances of their day to day lives. We were honoured, in May, to receive a visit from His Holiness Pope Francis, who came to hold mass with his flock, the oldest Christian community and guardians of some of the holiest sites in Christianity, and to hear about their struggle for justice. At the annexation wall, which Israel has built on Palestinian land, and which separates the two holy cities of Bethlehem and Jerusalem for the first time in over 2000 years of Christianity, His Holiness stopped and prayed for peace. He gave us hope that our prayers will be heard. We have also seen successes from our national football team, who qualified for the Asian Cup for the first time in history, and with the long-awaited premiere of ‘Speed Sisters’, a documentary film about female racing car drivers in Jericho, to select only two further examples from a diverse range of accomplishments. On a political level, there has also been some cause for hope. Companies around the world have begun to take ethical decisions not to be complicit in Israel’s military occupation by ceasing to do business with illegal settlements, widespread solidarity during the shocking assault on Gaza has demonstrated the compassion felt by complete strangers for the Palestinian plight, and recognition of the State of Palestine by Sweden has led to a number of parliamentary resolutions throughout western Europe, urging governments to follow suit. Governments are beginning to realise that peace requires justice, and that action needs to be taken, as the current impasse only threatens to lead to more violence. Justice is an important concept in Christianity. It is about speaking out against injustices and seeking to help those who are suffering as a result of injustice. It is about compassion, fairness and equality for all, regardless of religion or ethnicity. In Palestine we are united as human beings of the same history, language and culture, standing up against the same foreign occupation, and the oppression which that entails. We call upon our brothers and sisters around the world to help us. Our wish is for justice and freedom, the only way to ensure peace. As Proverbs 31:9 tells us “Open your mouth, judge righteously, maintain the rights of the poor and needy.” On behalf of the Palestinian people, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. The people of Palestine look forward to further building and strengthening our relationship with the people of Germany in 2015. Dr. Khouloud Daibes December, 2014 .

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