Rabbis versus Christmas: Religious rivalry in Jerusalem benefits no one

Israeli soldiers arrest Santa during nonviolent protest in Bethlehem, Dec. 23, 2007
Ha'aretz
The 'Lobby for Jewish Values' is trying to exorcise Yuletide festivities from the streets of Jerusalem.

On the streets of Jerusalem, the religious war on Christmas is on. Last week, the "Lobby for Jewish Values" started handing out fliers condemning the holiday and inciting the public to boycott restaurants and hotels that sell or put up Christmas trees and other "foolish" Christian symbols.

Backed by rabbis, and with the self-righteous air of the American Christian right, lobby chairman Ofer Cohen told the Israeli media that he had considered publishing a list of businesses bold enough to put up Christmas decorations, call for a boycott against them, and - with a little help from Jerusalem Rabbinate - revoke the kashrut certificates of said hotels and restaurants.

...the fliers distributed by the Lobby for Jewish Values contain the following call to arms:

".... not help those businesses that sell or put up the foolish symbols of Christianity."

It's unclear exactly what is considered "foolish symbols of Christianity," and, on top of that, how displaying them can result in withdrawal of the certificate confirming you adhere to Jewish dietary laws.

.......The Lobby for Jewish Values and the Jerusalem Rabbinate say that Christmas - the birth of Jesus - is just not kosher. That rules out the manger scene and all things nativity..... Full story