"Biblical Scholar Criticizes Claims of Jesus as Palestinian, Stresses Jewish Context"

Biblical scholar Paula Fredriksen criticizes left-wing politicians and media figures, including AOC, for claiming Jesus was Palestinian, calling it historically false and inflammatory. She points out that Bethlehem has been under Palestinian rule for decades and that modern-day Gaza is hostile to Christians. Fredriksen argues that the term "Palestine" derived from Rome a century after Christ's death, and appropriating Jesus as Palestinian to attack Israel is an act of cultural and political appropriation. She emphasizes that this narrative rips Jesus out of his Jewish context and stokes hate against Jews, while also slamming it as polemic masquerading as history.