Ah, the sound of slay bells at Christmas! No, not sleigh bells, but the regular jangling sound of those who use this season to call for the demolition of the barrier which prevents a massacre of the innocents – innocent Israelis, that is, by Palestinian terrorists.

Here is a crib being sold by the Amos Trust. It shows a high wall in front of the stable containing the Holy Family. On the other side of the wall are Palestinian terrorists lining up with bombs, unable to reach this Jewish family they would so like to destroy. At least I suppose that’s what they are.

The Patriarch of Jerusalem, Michel Sabbah, known to some as the Patriarch of Terror, has aimed another blow at the Jews. He thinks they should not have a State.

"If there's a state of one religion, other religions are naturally discriminated against," Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah told reporters at the annual press conference he holds in Jerusalem before the Christian holiday.

Like Saudi Arabia, for example, Patriarch? Funny, I haven’t heard him complaining about inequalities and injustice in that country – or anywhere except Israel.

In his address, which he read in Arabic and English, Sabbah said Israel should abandon its Jewish character in favor of a "political, normal state for Christians, Muslims and Jews."

"This land cannot be exclusive for anyone," he said.

Try saying that in Saudi Arabia or other Muslim States – or, indeed, somewhere closer to home. How many Jews are allowed to live in Gaza, for instance? How much freedom of worship is enjoyed by Christians in Middle Eastern countries outside of religiously tolerant Israel?

Hopefully this will be Sabbah's final feeble kick in that direction. In less than three months he reaches the age of 75, which is the retirement age for Catholic priests and bishops.

There is a barbaric custom among the Palestinians of passing round sweets in celebration when their terrorists have carried out a massacre. Perhaps it would not be barbaric, though, if Catholics who care about Jews and detest anti-semitism followed their example. This is not in celebration of a massacre, but a timely event. When Sabbah retires, I would suggest it be appropriate for such Catholics to celebrate by passing round some humbugs.

In an article in the Times, Bethlehem and bigotry, Michael Gove has reminded us of the approaching annual season of Israel bashing.

Eggnog lattes on sale at Starbucks? Feature-length M&S commercials? There’s one invariable sign that Christmas is almost upon us – a story about how Bethlehem is suffering at the hands of wicked Israel. ..

…The truth is very different. The parlous position of Palestinian Christians, indeed the difficult position of most Christians across the Arab world, is a consequence not of Israeli aggression but of growing Islamist influence. Israel goes out of its way to honour sites and traditions sacred to other faiths while the radicals who are driving Palestinian politics seek to create an Islamist state in which other faiths, if they survive at all, do so with the explicit subject status of dhimmis. But when it comes to Israel’s position in these matters it’s still a case of O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see them lie.

Honest Reporting also notes this predictable seasonal behaviour – or rather, misbehaviour, in The Grinch That Destroys Christmas

It's that time of year again - the media prepares to take a festive bash at Israel.

It's not just the media, though, and HR draws attention to one article well worth reading. Dexter van Zile turns the spotlight – or perhaps Christmas lights – on the usual suspects when it comes to stirring up hatred among Christians: Sabeel.

A happy Hannukah!

And here's something to add to your enjoyment - via Simply Jews.