Palestinians Are Erasing Christian History

Source: United With Israel
By: Khaled Abu Toameh
Posted in Apr 18, 2016

A Palestinian worker points to a Greek cross on a crown that was discovered with remnants of marble Corinthian pillars and foundations during construction of a shopping center in Gaza City. (AP/Adel Hana)

The plight of Palestinian Christians does not interest the international community, because Israel cannot be blamed for demolishing the antiquities. If the current policy against Christians persists, the day will come when no Christians will be left in Bethlehem.

• For Palestinian Christians, the destruction of the ancient Byzantine church ruins is yet a further attempt by Palestinian Muslim leaders to efface both Christian history and signs of any Christian presence in the West Bank and Gaza, under the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas. A growing number of Christians feel they are being systematically targeted by both the PA and Hamas for being Christians.

• Bulldozers were used to destroy some of the church artifacts; some Palestinian Christians accused both Hamas and the PA of copying ISIS tactics to demolish historic sites.

• “Where are the heads of the churches in Jerusalem and the world?… Where are the Vatican and UNESCO? Where are the leaders and politicians who talk, talk, talk about national unity and the preservation of holy sites? Or is this a collective conspiracy to end our existence and history in the East?” — Sami Khalil, a Christian from the West Bank city of Nablus.

• The plight of Palestinian Christians does not interest the international community. That is because Israel cannot be blamed for demolishing the antiquities. If the current policy against Christians persists, the day will come when no Christians will be left in Bethlehem.

Palestinian Christians are up in arms over the destruction of the ruins of an ancient Byzantine church that were recently discovered in Gaza City.

The protest, however, failed to win the attention of the international community, especially United Nations agencies such as UNESCO, whose mission is to secure the world’s cultural and natural heritage.

A Palestinian youth removes sand from a crown
that was discovered with remnants of marble
Corinthian pillars and foundations, some
of them with a Greek cross during construction
of a shopping center in Gaza City. (AP/Adel Hana)

The ruins of the 1800-year-old church were discovered in Palestine Square, in the Al-Daraj neighborhood of Gaza City, where Hamas is planning to build a shopping mall. The dramatic discovery of the antiquities did not seem to leave an impression on the construction workers, who removed artifacts and continued with their work at the site.

Defying belief, bulldozers were used to destroy some of the church artifacts, drawing sharp criticism from Palestinian Christians, some of whom rushed to accuse both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority (PA) of copying ISIS tactics to demolish historic sites.

For Palestinian Christians, the destruction of the church ruins is yet a further attempt by Palestinian Muslim leaders to efface both Christian history and signs of any Christian presence in the Palestinian territories.

Vatican Radio: Pope Francis announces Global Teacher Prize

Pope Francis names the winner of the Global Teacher Prize - Palestinian primary school teacher Hanan al-Hroub, who received her trophy in a ceremony in Dubai. - AP

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday evening announced through a video-message the winner of the Global Teacher Prize, a $1 million award presented by the Varkey Foundation.

The Pope’s announcement had been previously recorded in the Vatican, and was played at the awards ceremony in Dubai.

[Listen to the Report here]

"I would like to congratulate the teacher Hanan Al Hroub for winning this prestigious prize due to the importance she gives to the role of play in a child’s education,” Pope Francis said.

The winner of the prize is a primary school teacher in the West Bank city of al-Bireh just outside Ramallah. She grew up in a refugee camp, and now teaches refugees.

“A child has the right to play,” – Pope Francis said – “Part of education is to teach children how to play, because you learn how to be social though games, and you learn the joy of life.”

Al-Hroub later told the Associated Press it was “amazing” to hear the Pope say her name, and said she would use the million-dollar prize money to create scholarships for students who excel in order to encourage them to choose careers in teaching.

During her acceptance speech, Al-Hroub reiterated her commitment to non-violence and dialogue, a theme also touched on in Pope Francis’ video-message.

“A population that is not well educated because of wars, or by other reasons that exist in order not to get any education, is a population that decays,” said Pope Francis. “That is why I would like to highlight the noble profession of a teacher.”

"WE HOPE TO CONQUER THE VATICAN" - Muslim Scholar

Muslims want to DOMINATE the World. Let's pray Lord protect your Church. Protect your people!

Photo Source: Magdi Alam

TIME: "Pope Francis is proving himself to be one of the most powerful leaders in the world."

Pope Francis praying before the 'Separation Wall' erected by the State of Israel (Photo Source: ABC News)

By Elizabeth Dias - TIME

Pope Francis is proving himself to be one of the most powerful leaders in the world.

On Sunday, he arrived in Bethlehem and made an unexpected stop that surprised everyone: en route to mass in Manger Square, he halted the popemobile and caused a chaotic flurry of press, security, and onlookers as he walked over to the wall that separates Israel from the West Bank. Beneath the graffiti scrawled “Bethlehem,” he reached out, placed his hand on the wall, and prayed.

Only a Holy Father like Francis could pull off this kind of stunt. One small gesture, and the Israeli military in the watchtower above and the Palestinian people below were all at his mercy. He rendered all sides powerless by drawing them into his service, the most counterintuitive service of prayer.

To top it all off, during his sermon at mass, Francis made a historic invitation: “In this place where the Prince of Peace was born, I wish to invite you, President Mahmoud Abbas, and President Shimon Peres, to raise together with me an intense prayer to God for the gift of peace. And I offer my house in the Vatican to host you in this encounter of prayer.”

Within an hour, both leaders had accepted his invitation. What were they going to say, no?

The brilliance in this move goes something like this:

“Hey Peres, I’m in Bethlehem, preaching not in Jerusalem but in Palestinian territory, which happens to be where Jesus who founded my church was born, and don’t forget, I’m about to come to Israel to lay a wreath on the founder of Zionism’s grave. Hey Abbas, I’m visiting Palestine first, before I’m visiting Israel, and I just prayed at the wall, so all eyes are on you right now. I’m going to take this opportunity to invite you both, via my sermon, to come pray with me in the Vatican. And because I just made this historic invitation public, you pretty much are going to have to show up. Also, because Peres’ term expires in two months, this needs to happen ASAP. See you soon!!”

Wink, smile, drop the mic.

This is a pope who understands the power of his position, and knows how to wield it with disarming humility. Buckle up, people. We’re only fourteen months in to his papacy. This is already fun.

Israel Pounded Islamists in Gaza against Egypt border attacks

Judaism and Islam both have the Law of Retaliation: "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth". Bloodshed will never end. Jesus came to perfect the Law. "But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on (your) right cheek, turn the other one to him as well." -Matthew 5:38. Please pray for our elder brethren (Jews) and our younger brethren (Muslims) that they may finally find God in peace (Shalom-Salam). -CD2000

By Adel Zaanoun, AFP

RAFAH, Palestinian Territories (AFP) - Israeli planes killed seven Palestinians and wounded another six in Gaza Friday in retaliation for suspected Islamist militants killing eight Israelis near the Egyptian border.

Two of the Gaza dead were members of the Popular Resistance Committees, a radical Islamist group that Israel blames for Thursday's fatal ambushes in the southern Negev desert. Two more were from Islamic Jihad.

Plight of Iraq Christians dire: Holy Land prelate

Latin Patriarch Fuad Twal

By AFP

JERUSALEM - In a sombre pre-Christmas address Tuesday, the Middle East's senior Catholic cleric expressed concern about the plight of Iraqi Christians and the collapse of talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

Jerusalem's Latin Patriarch Fuad Twal offered his solidarity and support to Christians in Iraq after a bloody October hostage-taking at a Baghdad cathedral that killed 44 worshipers, two priests and seven security force personnel.

"We were shocked and troubled by the massacre of Christians in Baghdad in the Church of Perpetual Help," Twal said in his Jerusalem headquarters.

"We condemn this violence. It's a pity to empty Iraq of its Christian citizens... It's a pity for us, for the Muslims themselves, for Iraq, for the Christians themselves.

Palestinian Christians struggle to raise their children in Lebanon

By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service

DBAYEH, Lebanon (CNS) -- The narrow lanes between the concrete block houses in the Dbayeh Refugee Camp are called "Street No. 1," "Street No. 2," "Street No. 3" and "Street No. 4."

The "Study Station" where the Palestinian refugee camp's 350 children get after-school help with English, French, Arabic and math is located on Street No. 1. The tiny library where the children congregate in the evening and attend "Sunday school" (on Tuesdays) is on Street No. 2, not far from a tiny grocery store.

Dbayeh is the only all-Christian Palestinian refugee camp remaining in Lebanon.

Although the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees officially lists the camp's population at 4,000 people, camp leaders said there probably are only about 2,000 there today. Most of the others are living abroad.

The 'Promised Land' Concept Cannot be used by Israel against the Palestinians!

Archbishop Cyril Bustros

"[...] the concept of the Promised Land cannot be used for the justification of the return of Jews to Israel and the displacement of Palestinians. The creation of the State of Israel in 1948 - after the resolution of the UN in 1947 regarding the partition of Palestine which was under the British mandate between Arab and Jews - is a political issue not a religious one. It is a fact of history like other facts: Jews who were persecuted in Europe and suffered the horrors of the shoah decided to come to Palestine and build a country for their own. They chose Palestine because of the memory of the Jews who lived there 2000 years ago. They came in great numbers; a war arose between them and the Arabs living there, and they won the war; hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forced to leave their homes and flee to the surrounding Arabic countries: Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.[...] Read the exclusive interview of JihadWatch.org to Archbishop Cyril Bustros clarifying his remarks at the Vatican Synod.

Pope seeks religious liberty in Muslim Mideast

By Philip Pullella

Photo: Bishops at Mass marking the end of the synod of bishops from the Middle East in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican October 24, 2010/Alessia Pierdomenico (Photo Source: Reuters)

VATICAN CITY, Reuters - Pope Benedict called on Islamic countries in the Middle East on Sunday to guarantee freedom of worship to non-Muslims and said peace in the region was the best remedy for a worrying exodus of Christians.

He made his a appeal at a solemn mass in St Peter's Basilica ending a two week Vatican summit of bishops from the Middle East, whose final document criticized Israel and urged the Jewish state to end its occupation of Palestinian territories.

Synod: no to anti-Semitism and violence, but solidarity with Palestinians

The report after discussions states that the Palestinian situation favors Islamic fundamentalism which is growing and stifles all forms of religious freedom, encourages emigration and impoverishes countries in the region. The choice of dialogue, but "in truth". Christians must not close in on themselves but promote democracy, justice and the secular nature of the state.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - " While condemning the violence whatever its origin and calling for a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we express our solidarity with the Palestinian people, whose current situation encourages fundamentalism" in the region. Hence the lack of respect for religious freedom a major cause of the increasing emigration of Christians and often educated people of other religions, which deprives the country of important energy.

The “Relatio post disceptationem”, or report after discussions, is explicit regarding the dramatic situation in the Middle East and particularly the Christians who live in the region. The report was read this morning in the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East, in the presence of the Pope, by the general relator, Egyptian Archbishop Antonios Naguib, patriarch of Alexandria of the Copts.

"The socio-political situation of our countries - the document states - have a direct impact on Christians, who feel more strongly their negative consequences”, particularly of events like the war in Iraq and the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Regarding the latter it reiterates the call for a two-state solution and says that "on more than one occasion the Holy See has clearly expressed its position, hoping that the two peoples can live in peace, each in its homeland with secure, internationally recognized borders".

Large space is devoted to religious freedom. It "is the basis of relations between Muslims and Christians" and "should be a priority issue in interreligious dialogue. We would like - the document states - the Koranic principle that 'no compulsion in religion' was actually put into practice". Some synod fathers "spoke of the constraints, limits on freedom, violence and exploitation of migrant workers in other countries". This latter fact is part of the growing phenomenon of many workers of Christian religions arriving from Africa and Asia, mainly women. "These - explain the synod fathers - find themselves in an atmosphere of Muslim predominance, and sometimes with little opportunity for religious practice. Many feel abandoned, faced with abuse and mistreatment, in situations of injustice, and violation of laws and international conventions”. To the point that “some immigrants change their names to be more accepted and supported".

While making these present realities, none of the Fathers, though, " No one quoted the Koranic verses on which the extremists base themselves to justify their attitude and acts of violence. This shows the praiseworthy attitude of the Pastors to see what unites and calms rather than what separates. " " Our closeness to Muslims is strengthened by 14 centuries of living together, in enduring difficult moments as well as many positive ones”.

Clear, therefore, the choice in favour of dialogue, which in order to be successful, requires that Christians and Muslims know each other better. "We have the duty to educate our faithful for interreligious dialogue and in the acceptance of religious diversity, in respect and in mutual esteem. The prejudices inherited from the history of conflicts and controversies, on both sides, must be carefully faced, clarified and corrected". In any case, "dialogue must be fulfilled in truth”.

Even in the current situation, however, Christians "must become increasingly rooted in their societies and not be tempted to turn inward as a minority." Instead, "according to the possibilities in each country, Christians must promote democracy, justice and peace, and positive secularism in the distinction between religion and state and respect for every religion."

Palestine Hate Propaganda Against Jews

Here is a video (see below) being circulated in the net and in Facebook (up) which was reported by Arabic Al-Jazeera network.



And here is the un-edited video where you can see what really happened why the guy in the car have no choice but to make way tossing a kid up in the air sparing his younger brother who is on the mood to attack any Jewish passersby.



Obviously the little boys are blocking the road and they intend to be VIOLENT. So if the man inside the car would stop, he would die right in the hands of this violent boys.

Ahmadinejad should be a TV Talk Show host, NOT a Politician!

Ahmadinejad's pesimistic view on the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks was criticized by the Palestinian Authority saying he (Ahmadinejad) a fraudalent, cheater, A falsificator, who rigged election results to keep himself in power, has the least right in commenting on the efforts of both sides to lasting peace.

IMO Ahmadinejad's comment is not even welcome or if he comments, it should be taken without value. A public nuisance who boasts himself a "savior" of his people saving Iran's "Islamic values" from the influence of the outside world should be ashamed of himself.

He never spared any issue, not even "Paul the Octopus". His own people were banned from having dogs as pets because according to his revered clerics, is a Western influence.

And how about the media blackout over the stoning of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani who was falsely accused of adultery by her adulterous former husband?

All of his misgivings to the Iranian people he blamed it to the West and Israel, never admitting his own shared guilt. He is the real problem in Iran and he is the greatest threat the Middle East region. He is an enemy, not an ally.

In the final analysis, Ahmadinejad is a traitor. He should never be trusted! He should be hosting a TV talk show. Then maybe his view could be weighed with value-- a value of an entertainer not a politician. [Watch Ahmadinejad's video here]

Palestinian Authority lashes out at Ahmadinejad over remarks

RAMALLAH [AFP]- The Palestinian Authority lashed out Saturday at Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over his remarks about the relaunching of direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

The Iranian president, "who does not represent the Iranian people, who falsified elections and took power by fraud does not have the right to talk about Palestine, its president or its representatives," Palestinian Authority spokesman Nabil Abu Rodeina said in a statement distributed by the official Palestinian news agency Wafa.

"We are defending our national rights and interests" and will not allow anyone to "threaten us or question the legitimacy of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation" led by president Mahmud Abbas, Rodeina added.

Calling Western-backed Abbas a hostage of Israel, Ahmadinejad said the talks begun Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington lacked legitimacy as the Palestinian leader had no right to make concessions in the name of Palestinians.

"What do they want to negotiate about? Who are they representing? What are they going to talk about?" Ahmadinejad asked rhetorically about Abbas' negotiating team during a rally Friday in Tehran.

"Who gave them the right to sell a piece of Palestinian land? The people of Palestine and the people of the region will not allow them to sell even an inch of Palestinian soil to the enemy. The negotiations are stillborn and doomed."

Iran implacably opposes the new talks and has given strong support to the Islamist movement Hamas, which carried out two attacks against Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank that killed four people and cast a pall over the talks relaunch.

A Common Friend to Both: Visit with Melkite Archbishop Chacour in the Holy Land

(Thanks to CatholicOnline)

By Deal W. Hudson, Ph.D

8/10/2010

Archbishop Elias Chacour of
the Melkite Catholic Church in Israel.

JERUSALEM (Inside Catholic) - Archbishop Elias Chacour of the Melkite Catholic Church in Israel is a remarkable man. Nominated several times for the Nobel Peace Prize, the author of three books on religion, and now in his early 70s, he's an internationally recognized leader in the effort to find a peaceful solution to the hostilities between Jews and Arabs.

"We don't need anyone else to become the enemy of the Jews or the Arabs," he told us. "We need people to become the common friend of both."

He kindly received our small group at his residence in Haifa and spoke with us for well over an hour. "Why are you here?" he asked with a smile. By the time we'd left, we all had a better idea of how to answer that question.

Chacour was eight years old when the Israeli soldiers entered his Palestinian village in 1948, the year of Israel's founding. The village of Biram is in the region of Galilee near Nazareth. His father had prepared a banquet for the soldiers -- he fed them and they slept in the family's beds. After enjoying the hospitality, the soldiers ordered everyone to leave the village; their land and homes were being "annexed."

The residents fled up into the adjacent hills and lived for several weeks until a group of the village fathers ventured back to ask if they could return. The men wouldn't return for months. Eventually the fathers, including Chacour's, found their way back to the families living in the hills near their confiscated village. The men had been put into trucks and taken to the other side of the West Bank, dropped off, and told never to return. They walked through Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon to rejoin their families.

The Palestinians took their case to the Israeli Supreme Court, which ruled three times in their favor . . . only to have the military continue to block their homecoming. Finally, in 1952, they descended the hills to return to their houses, only to watch Israeli bombers level the town in front of their eyes.

"My father told all his children never to hate, never to seek retribution," the archbishop said, choking back the strong emotions he obviously still felt from that experience so many years ago.

Chacour was the only one of the four sons to become a priest, thus fulfilling his father's fervent wish. He studied in Paris for six years, returned to Galilee, and became a parish priest in a small village much like the one he was born in. His book Blood Brothers, first published in 1984, brought Chacour into the public eye leading to his appointment as archbishop (archimandrite) in 2001.

Before we left, I asked "Abuna," as he is also called, if he had a personal message I could record for Catholics in the United States. You can find it here: YouTube.

Read also: Meeting the Latin Patriarch, and a parish priest, in Jerusalem

About 67 per cent of Israelis want peace with the Palestinians

The percentage could it be higher? I believe Palestinian and Israeli citizens mostly wanted peace. It's their own politicians who don't. I wish there's a similar survey on the other side of the wall who'd like to be at peace with Israel.. I pray Muslims around the world would give peace a chance.

Jerusalem City

Jerusalem (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Two Israelis in three (67 per cent) are in favour of a peace agreement with the Palestinians, this according to a recent survey conducted by the Dahaf Institute on behalf of the the Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation, directed by Danny Abraham. In the meantime, the two sides are still fighting each. Two Palestinians died in a gunfight between Israeli soldiers and Islamic extremists in Gaza.

Released by Peace Now, the poll titled ‘Positions of the Israeli Public and the Political Leadership (MKs) Regarding a Possible Peace Agreement’ looked at various scenarios for peace based on principles similar the Ayalon-Nusseibeh agreement and the Geneva Initiative of two states for two peoples.

People were asked whether they agreed to a solution based on the following principles: a two-state solution (Israeli - Jewish State + Palestinian State); return of refugees to Palestine only; a demilitarised Palestinian state, the 1967 lines with an exchange of territory; Jerusalem with- Jewish neighbourhoods to be in Israel, Arab Neighbourhoods to be in Palestine; and finally the Old City under a joint management-sovereignty for both sides and the US.

About 67 per cent of Israelis (63 per cent of Israeli Jews) said they were in favour of such an agreement. Among people who voted for Likud and Lieberman in 2009, 50 per cent were in favour of the agreement. Voters of the ultraorthodox Shas party rejected the agreement by 55 to 42 per cent.

The main factor that led some to reject the agreement was lack of trust that the Palestinian side would live up to its obligations. A second factor, but on a much smaller level, was outright opposition to the principle of a Palestinian state. Opposition to sharing sovereignty over Jerusalem was even lower as a reason for opposing the proposed solution.

The survey also showed that members of the Knesset are much more rightwing then public opinion in general.

Young people touched by hope in Palestine thanks to Catholic charity

Bethlehem, West Bank, Sep 7, 2009 / 01:38 am (Catholic News Agency).- Although Bethlehem is partitioned from East Jerusalem by a 25-foot high Israeli wall, behind the massive concrete barrier there are places where charity heals the lives of the poor and disabled. On a recent trip to the area, I discovered that the Pontifical Mission-Jerusalem, is at work in these hardscrabble confines.

Gabi, a project manager for the Pontifical Mission in Palestine, met me in Manger Square just outside of the Church of the Nativity, where Jesus was born some 2,000 years ago. Soon we were joined by Rodolf Saadeh, who also helps coordinate and fund the mission’s numerous charitable efforts in both Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

These two men endeavored to explain both the great work being done and the needs of the children in the area by taking me on a tour of the places benefiting from the Pontifical Mission, an agency of the Holy See established by Pope Pius XII in 1949 "to make available to every exiled or needy Palestinian the charity of the Pope and of all Catholics of the world," Rodolf explained.

The first stop on our visit was a government-run K-8 school that had clearly seen better days. The teachers and maintenance staff walked us through a classroom that had paint peeling from the walls, desks that were falling apart and water damage due to a bad roof. The school also suffered problems from a sewage system that would periodically back up.

Gabi noted that the Pontifical Mission is helping to provide funding to fix the problems which the school could not, despite being a publicly funded school. The goal, he said, is to provide a good learning environment for the children.

We jumped back into the car and headed toward the Welfare Home for Girls. Rodolf asked me if I noticed how recklessly the Palestinians drove as they sped up and down Bethlehem's hilly streets. "It's because they have nowhere to go. They feel trapped," he offered.

Arriving at the Home for Girls a short time later, I found it to be a house that serves as a refuge and a place for healing. The girls who live there are strangers to a normal life, having been abused or neglected, sometimes by their own families. But away from the torment of their former lives, these teenage girls are able to recover from the trauma they've undergone and build anew.

An architect who volunteers his time and expertise, explained to me that soon the girls will have a new gym in which to exercise, a welcome change to the dilapidated concrete annex they currently have.

By far the most moving encounter during my brief trip to Bethlehem was a stop we made at the Al-Ala'iya School for the Blind. One could sense the love that the school's teachers poured out on their students as they cared for these otherwise neglected blind boys.

Al-Ala'iya has a unique teaching model, with the blind boys being taught by teachers who themselves are blind. After learning how to make brooms, brushes and even weave a rug, these students will have a way to make a living, in spite of their blindness.

One particular young Palestinian, Abadeh Rashed Mutawe, comes from a large family that cannot give him the education he needs. As a shepherd, his father is not home often enough to help raise him, while his illiterate mother is struggling to provide for his three sisters and five brothers, ranging in age from 8 to 30. Blindness also affects Abadeh's three sisters and one of his brothers.

Abadeh attends Al-Ala'iya and receives an education through support from the Pontifical Mission.

As I toured the school, Rodolf explained that the generosity of numerous Catholics has helped to create a place where blind children are treated with dignity and taken beyond the confines of poverty.

The generosity of these boys and their teachers was confirmed as they announced to the class that they would like to give me a gift. "Take anything you want," they said.

The Pontifical Mission operates in conjunction with the Catholic Near East Welfare Association. Its website can be found at www.cnewa.org.

Israeli Border Policemen Humiliate a Palestinian

Taken from Haaretz.com. This is completely outrageous! I deeply detest this kind of practice! Those Border Police who made fun of this Palestinian boy should be banned from serving the Israeli government or they should be tried for human rights violation!

Lord, have mercy on Israel!

Who are the Palestinians we had supported?

When Israel's offensive attack in Gaza that killed hundreds and misplaced thousands, the world seemed so united that rallies in major cities filled the major streets.

In Muslim countries, fund raising booths were erected and posters were found almost every corner of the cities and leading newspapers printed uncensored photos of dead and wounded children being carried by their grieving parents to show the world how "barbaric" are the Israelites.

That was when we thought we are fighting for Palestine and the Palestinians themselves. Have we been wrong in supporting them?

(All walks of life for Palestine! Will they still stand for Palestinians fighting against Palestinians?)
But here's the twist. Today 6 Palestinians died after Palestinians ruthlessly fired their rifles against their fellow Palestinians, the same people we have shared our thoughts and our efforts:

QALQILIYA, West Bank – Forces loyal to the moderate Palestinian president stormed a Hamas hideout in the West Bank and set off a fierce gunbattle that left six dead Sunday, the worst violence since the factions fought a pitched battle over Gaza two years ago.
Militants lobbed grenades and fired automatic weapons to push back the raid in a two-story building in Qalqiliya, a West Bank town known for its strong Hamas presence. That drew dozens of President Mahmoud Abbas' forces to the hideout.

When it was over, pools of blood, tear gas canisters and hundreds of spent shell casings littered the floor. Walls were partly burned down during the battle.

Qalqiliya, which elected a Hamas mayor in 2005, was tense Sunday. Women gathered near the scene heaped insults on policemen. Sporadic gunfire erupted in other areas of town, and police said the shots came from Hamas loyalists targeting officers, though there were no reports of injuries.

The two factions have made intermittent attempts to reconcile since Hamas seized Gaza in 2007, leaving rival Fatah in control of only the West Bank. But Sunday's bloodshed showed just how little progress has been made.

The split has complicated Mideast peace efforts because the Palestinians cannot negotiate with Israel in a single voice and Hamas refuses to recognize the Jewish state.

Abbas has backed Washington's peace efforts, and the raid underscored his determination to rein in militants as part of his obligations under the U.S.-backed "road map" peace plan. Last week, Abbas met at the White House with President Barack Obama and renewed a pledge to crack down on militants and honor other commitments under the road map.

The U.S. has been training Abbas' elite forces to help him affirm his control of the West Bank and prepare for eventual statehood. Many of the security men involved in the shootout had undergone U.S.-supervised training in Jordan, police said.

Abbas aide Nabil Abu Rdeneh said going after militants is key to one day setting up a Palestinian state.

"To build our country and our state, we need to have one authority, one gun, one law," he said." (Read more in Yahoo!News)

When we talk of Palestine and the Palestinians, we should understand the Political factions such that Hamas never recognizes the legitimacy of the Presidency of Abu Mazen who happen to belong to the Fatah Movement.

The USA, UE, and other states consider Hamas (in Palestine which is linked to Hezbollah in Jordan) as "terrorist" groups which is supported by Iran according to PressTV.

As the rift divided Palestinians more deeply, the world suddenly realized who are the Palestinians they have been fighting for?

"Tens of thousands of backers of Hamas and other militant groups marched in several places in Gaza City, protesting the raid and calling Abbas a "collaborator" with Israel. Abu Obeida, a spokesman for the Hamas military wing, threatened "tough and harsh reprisal."

This is a serious threat from Palestinians against Palestinians in Palestine. Had not Hamas ignited the Israeli Government to offensive attack after they fired rockets into Israel itself?

I feel ashamed I had supported people unworthy of it.

Pope Calls Jews and Muslims to Break Cycle of Violence in the name of Religion!

Jerusalem (AsiaNews) – With a heartfelt plea for an end to 60 years of conflict and the suffering it has caused to Israelis and Palestinians, giving birth to two States, Benedict XVI ended his pilgrimage to the Holy Land. This appeal for peace, in the morning, found its most profound expression in his visit to the Holy Sepulchre, where he spoke of the “hope that does not disappoint” offered by Christ’s empty tomb. “The Gospel – he said - reassures us that God can make all things new, that history need not be repeated, that memories can be healed, that the bitter fruits of recrimination and hostility can be overcome, and that a future of justice, peace, prosperity and cooperation can arise for every man and woman, for the whole human family, and in a special way for the people who dwell in this land so dear to the heart of the Saviour.”.

The Pope’s voyage had many objectives, not least the aim of carrying on dialogue with other Christians confessions. To this end his visit to the Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate, which lies next to the Holy Sepulchre and to the ancient Armenian patriarchal church of Saint James.

In both meetings, Benedict XVI underlined that importance the Catholic Church attributes to dialogue and the progress that has been made “This dialogue, - he underline din his visit to the Armenians - sustained by prayer, has made progress in overcoming the burden of past misunderstandings, and offers much promise for the future”. “Standing in this hallowed place, - he had said shortly before in the Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate - alongside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which marks the site where our crucified Lord rose from the dead for all humanity, and near the cenacle, where on the day of Pentecost “they were all together in one place” (Acts 2:1), who could not feel impelled to bring the fullness of goodwill, sound scholarship and spiritual desire to our ecumenical endeavors?”

“It is imperative therefore – he added - that Christian leaders and their communities bear vibrant testimony to what our faith proclaims: the eternal Word, who entered space and time in this land, Jesus of Nazareth, who walked these streets, through his words and actions calls people of every age to his life of truth and love”. Read more...

Catholics Should Chastise Israeli TV for Religious Intollerance!

According to an Israeli TV through Catholic.org "comic pokes fun at Jesus and Our Lady, saying he wants to 'deny Christianity' since Christians 'deny the Holocaust'". Perhaps this reaction was caused by Bishop Williamson's denial of the Halocoust. Bishop Williamson belong to the excommunicted Levebrian sect Society of St. Pius X which was recently re-admitted to the fold by Pope Benedict XVI (read more here). To my knowledge, the Pope has chastised the Bishop and was told to recant his views (read here) in line with the sensitivity of the topic that could hamper Jewish-Catholic relations.

Good thing is that, we are not alone. Thanks to moderate Muslims who are backing up the issue with Catholics in the Holy Land.

JERUSALEM (AsiaNews) – The Assembly of Catholic Bishops in the Holy Land slammed the “repulsive attacks” on Jesus Christ and Our Lady on an Israeli TV show. For them the incident is a sign of the growing intolerance and hatred towards other faiths, best exemplified by a recent incident in which copies of the New Testament were publicly burnt in the yard of a synagogue in Or Yehuda.

In the TV show which ran at the start of the week Israeli humorist Yair Shlein said that since Christians “deny the Holocaust, then I want to deny Christianity” in order “to teach a lesson”. (read here for more!)

Picture Credit: Thanks to pennantshop.com