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.