A prominent American evangelical leader has fiercely denounced remarks by Palestinian Ambassador to the U.K. Husam Zomlot, who claimed the Bible is a “Palestinian book” and asserted that Jesus was Palestinian. Pastor John Hagee, founder of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), called these assertions “contemptible” and a dangerous attempt to rewrite history and appropriate Jewish and Christian identity. Hagee argued that the term “Palestinian” did not exist when the Bible was written, emphasizing that Jesus and his disciples were Jewish and lived in Judea. He drew an analogy, comparing the claim to calling a modern Oklahoman Cherokee simply because of their birthplace. Hagee further pointed out that the name “Palestine” was deliberately adopted by the Romans centuries after Christ to erase Jewish history. Critics also highlight a pattern of Palestinian officials and bodies attempting to reshape historical narratives through international organizations like UNESCO and the UN, citing instances where Jewish holy sites and biblical locations have been referred to solely by Muslim names or claimed as belonging exclusively to “Palestine.” Ze’ev Orenstein of the City of David Foundation echoed these sentiments, labeling Zomlot’s claims as “identity theft” and a dangerous precedent that attempts to rewrite the foundations of faith for billions worldwide, noting that Islam originated much later than Judaism and Christianity.
Adapted from: Latest World News on Fox News
