True, there are Christians living in Israel, and the Knesset represents them. So perhaps there is room for the discussion of such a commemoration.
MK Hanna Swaid (Hadash) has petitioned the Speaker of the House, Yuli Edelstein, to place a Christmas tree in the Knesset.
Swaid says such a tree would be a nice gesture and a tribute to the Christian MKs and citizens, as well as a symbolic connection to Christianity in general. In addition, Swaid added, there are many Jews around the world who put such a tree in their homes during the holidays.
Placing such a tree in the Knesset would also be a clear statement against vandalism experienced by churches and mosques perpetrated by extremists.
(source: NRG)
Just because some Jews are misguided and try to celebrate in some way the Christian holidays does not mean the Knesset must honor them. Many of those who place Christmas trees do so because they are intermarried and "celebrate" the Christian holidays (sometimes together with the Jewish holidays and sometimes instead of the Jewish holidays).
The Knesset should NOT install a Christmas tree, despite having Christian residents and MKs. Maybe in an MKs office it can be allowed, but it should not be in the public areas of the Knesset. Israel is a Jewish State, and Jews should celebrate Jewish holidays, not Christian holidays. The fact that we are also democratic does not obligate us to also celebrate Christian holidays. it means those citizens who want to celebrate Christian holidays can.
In the US even with the separation of church and state they used to put Christmas trees by public buildings, and now they also have to place a menora. If the democratic aspect of the State must be seen to be in conflict with the Jewish part of the State in this regard, this could be a problem.We should not ban them all, because part of the definition of Israel is as specifically a Jewish State. The answer is that in the USA there is no official state religion, even though it is widely seen as an official religion. So, if they allow Christmas trees, they must allow displays of other religions equally. Israel has an official religion, Judaism, so it can display Jewish religious items and not Christian ones.
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