Overview
- The original display paired the phrase “Jesus is Palestinian” with a Quran verse about Jesus and a separate “Merry Christmas” greeting in English and Arabic.
- Tourists and onlookers offered sharply different views, with some calling the message divisive and others describing it as a gesture of solidarity or a prompt for reflection.
- Critics objected on historical grounds, noting Jesus was a Jew from Roman‑era Judea and that the name Palestine was applied to the region generations later.
- ADC executive director Adeb Ayoub said the nonprofit has rented the screens since earlier this year with weekly rotations aimed at conversation and interfaith commonalities.
- The group has replaced the message with “Jesus would say: ‘tear down this wall’” and says additional Times Square displays are planned for New Year’s Eve.