A Jewish Defense of “Merry Christmas”

Dec. 24 2020

Tomorrow, as much of the U.S. celebrates a major Christian holiday, Jews may find themselves in an uncertain position. Such discomfort was expressed earlier this month by Michigan’s Jewish attorney general Dana Nessel, in a since-deleted Tweet:

I remember the first time I was at a store with my son and an employee said “Merry Christmas” to us. My son looked devastated as he asked, “Are we the only people who don’t celebrate Christmas?” I answered ‘No, and we are just as American as everyone else.” [I’m] glad Joe Biden knows that.

To Liel Leibovitz, this comment “manages to misunderstand America, Christianity, Judaism, the concept of religion in general, and also what it means to live with other humans.” He writes:

If you believe that even a greeting that mildly smacks of religious belief has real power to harm minorities, you must then also believe that such niceties ought to be censored for the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable friends and neighbors. Which, of course, means that you now giddily support banning more or less all forms of religious expression in anything that could even remotely be understood as the public square, or, in other words, that you find the whole “freedom of religion” thing as troubling as, say, the freedom to own firearms.

Indeed, it’s starting to feel a little strange to keep avoiding the obvious truth: the problem . . . is with religion qua religion, and, too often, they are using Jews to broadcast to everyone else how unnecessary—even toxic—religion truly is.

Read more at Tablet

More about: American Religion, Christians, Judaism

Kuwait Should Be the Next Country to Make Peace with Israel

Feb. 13 2025

Like his predecessor, Donald Trump seeks to expand the Abraham Accords to include Saudi Arabia. But there are other Arab nations that might consider taking such a step. Ahmad Charai points to Kuwait—home to the Middle East’s largest U.S. army base and desperately in need of economic reform—as a good candidate. Kuwaitis haven’t forgiven Palestinians for supporting Saddam Hussein during his 1990 invasion, but their country has been more rhetorically hostile to Israel than its Gulf neighbors:

The Abraham Accords have reshaped Middle Eastern diplomacy. . . . Kuwait, however, remains hesitant due to internal political resistance. While full normalization may not be immediately feasible, the United States should encourage Kuwait to take gradual steps toward engagement, emphasizing how participation in regional cooperation does not equate to abandoning its historical positions.

Kuwait could use its influence to push for peace in the Middle East through diplomatic channels opened by engagement rather than isolation. The economic benefits of joining the broader framework of the Abraham Accords are overwhelming. Israel’s leadership in technology, agriculture, and water management presents valuable opportunities for Kuwait to enhance its infrastructure. Trade and investment flows would diversify the economy, providing new markets and business partnerships.

Kuwaiti youth, who are increasingly looking for opportunities beyond the public sector, could benefit from collaboration with advanced industries, fostering job creation and entrepreneurial growth. The UAE and Bahrain have already demonstrated how normalization with Israel can drive economic expansion while maintaining their respective geopolitical identities.

Read more at Jerusalem Strategic Tribune

More about: Abraham Accords, Kuwait