{"id":30270,"date":"2025-12-29T12:04:39","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T17:04:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/?p=30270"},"modified":"2026-01-05T17:04:43","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T22:04:43","slug":"times-square-billboard-declaring-jesus-is-palestinian-sparks-christmas-controversy-and-christian-outcry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/2025\/12\/times-square-billboard-declaring-jesus-is-palestinian-sparks-christmas-controversy-and-christian-outcry","title":{"rendered":"Times Square Billboard Declaring ‘Jesus is Palestinian’ Sparks Controversy and Christian Outcry"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A controversial billboard declaring “Jesus is Palestinian” has ignited backlash in New York City’s Times Square, drawing sharp criticism from visitors who say the message is divisive, misleading, and disrespectful to the heart of the Christian faith.<\/p>\n

The digital ad<\/a>, funded by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), appeared during one of the busiest times of the year in Midtown Manhattan. Featuring bold black letters against a bright green background, the billboard also included the words “Merry Christmas” on its reverse side. While organizers say the display is meant to spark dialogue and promote solidarity, many who encountered it said the message felt intentionally provocative and poorly timed.<\/p>\n

“It’s quite a divisive message,” said Sam Kept, a tourist visiting from England. “If you’re pro-Palestinian, you’d find it OK. But it’s probably not a good time in the world to have that up. It’s inflammatory.” His wife echoed the concern, saying the sign seemed designed to stir controversy rather than unity. “It’s trying to stir the pot, isn’t it?” she said.<\/p>\n

Other visitors expressed discomfort with what they viewed as a political statement attached to a sacred figure. One tourist said Jesus is “for everyone,” adding that there’s no need to politicize His identity \u2014 especially during Christmas, a season centered on peace, humility, and hope.<\/p>\n

The billboard was funded by the ADC, which stated that its goal is to encourage conversation and highlight common ground between Arab, Muslim, and Christian communities. ADC National Executive Director Abed Ayoub stated that the organization has been renting rotating billboard space in Times Square throughout the year and described the campaign as an effort to spark dialogue during a high-visibility moment.<\/p>\n

“There’s a lot more similarities between Arabs and Muslims and Christians in this country than others want to allow us to believe,” Ayoub said, noting that Christianity originated in the Middle East. He added that the billboard is meant to challenge perceptions and encourage people to reflect on shared history and faith.<\/p>\n

However, critics argue that the message oversimplifies history and faith in a way that confuses rather than unites. For Christians, Jesus is not a political symbol or cultural talking point but the Son of God, born in Bethlehem, a Jew by heritage, whose message transcends ethnicity and national identity.<\/p>\n

When asked whether the billboard challenges the understanding that Jesus was Jewish, Ayoub responded that “Jesus lives within all of us” and that interpretations are open to debate. He also claimed that Jewish groups have opposed his organization online and said others are free to promote their own perspectives.<\/p>\n

Some passersby supported the display, saying it reflects global suffering and invites compassion. One tourist from Italy remarked that “Jesus belongs to everyone,” while another from France said the message reflects the pain people are experiencing around the world.<\/p>\n

Still, for many Christians, the timing and tone felt misplaced \u2014 especially during a season meant to celebrate Christ’s birth with reverence and joy. As one observer put it, Christmas is meant to unite hearts around the hope of salvation, not divide them with political messaging.<\/p>\n

The ADC has already placed another billboard in Times Square reading, “Jesus would say ‘tear down that wall,'” and says another message is planned for New Year’s Eve. Whether the campaign fosters meaningful dialogue or deepens cultural divides remains a point of heated debate \u2014 one playing out under the bright lights of one of the world’s most visible stages.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A controversial billboard declaring “Jesus is Palestinian” has ignited backlash in New York City’s Times Square, drawing sharp criticism from visitors who say the message is divisive, misleading, and disrespectful to the heart of the Christian faith. 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