Posted on 06/25/2015 6:53:54 PM PDT by VitacoreVision
The state of Israel is blocking the release of details on the recent arson attack against a historical Catholic church by the Sea of Galilee, namely the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish in Tabgha. It resides at the site where Christ miraculously multiplied loaves and fish to feed 5,000 people.
Aside from being damaged by the fire, the church was also vandalized with Hebrew graffiti messages such as "Death to non-Jews" and "False idols will be eliminated." The incident marked the second time since last year the building has been attacked.
Sixteen Jewish seminary students were arrested, but they were released hours later. Thus far, the crime remains unpunished.
Although leaders in Israel have condemned the act, critics are skeptical justice will prevail, as Israeli authorities have yet to prosecute a single person in the 43 crimes against churches or mosques that have occurred in Israel within the last three and a half years.
The church re-opened this past weekend and was met with a crowd of thousands who went to pray there as an act of solidarity with persecuted Christians. A protest rally took place after Mass. Demonstrators demanded greater protection of Christian and Muslim properties against hostile Jewish settlers in the region.
The incident has provoked responses from Church leaders outside the Middle East, too, with British bishop Declan Lang demanding an end to such acts of religious bigotry toward Christians and Muslims in Israel. He noted how "the common consensus seems to be that Jewish zealots were responsible."
The official Vatican news service called the attack "yet another episode in the long series of desecrations and acts of intimidation committed by groups of extremist Jewish settlers to the detriment of monasteries, churches and Christian cemeteries since February 2012."
Leading up to Pope Francis' visit to the Holy Land last year, numerous acts of vandalism occurred with messages such as "Death to Christians" and "We will crucify you."
OK. Then what is the name of the institution? What is its address?
If you think I’m lying, just don’t talk to me again.
I asked you for the identity and address of the institution. I don’t know if you are lying or not, but it would be helpful if you would give me this information, so I could find out for myself.
I am a Jewish extremist, and I have not only never heard of anyone advocating hatred or disrespect to Christians, but never dreamed that any yeshiva would teach it. I’ve never seen or heard of anyone spitting on Christians. If you are saying that you’ve seen it (the institution) that you know for a fact was teaching this, then tell me more about it. If you are saying that you’ve seen it (somebody Jewish spitting on a Chrstian) in Jerusalem, then tell me what you can about it. But if you tell me nothing at all, and accuse me of accusing you of lying, what am I to do with that? Give me details. Facts.
Since you are dismissive of my personal experience
Christians in Jerusalem want Jews to stop spitting on them
Former adviser to the mayor on Christian affairs, Shmuel Evyatar, describes the situation as “a huge disgrace.” He says most of the instigators are yeshiva students studying in the Old City who view the Christian religion with disdain.
“I’m sure the phenomenon would end as soon as rabbis and well-known educators denounce it. In practice, rabbis of yeshivas ignore or even encourage it,” he says.
Evyatar says he himself was spat at while walking with a Serbian bishop in the Jewish quarter, near his home. “A group of yeshiva students spat at us and their teacher just stood by and watched.”
Jerusalem municipal officials said they are aware of the problem but it has to be dealt with by the police.
Thank you for the information. This is very disturbing. Asking for details is not being dismissive.
My theory: The Vatican makes a deal with the Palis. Naturally, the Palis attack churches and blame it on the Joooos!
If I’m wrong, I’ll be PO’d at my own people. This is not how Randoms are supposed to behave.
In parallel, but unrelated story:
Marzel: Forty Times Destroyed, But We’ll Keep Building Synagogue
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/197396#.VXjC7PmqooI
If the church was vandalized by Jews, it was by members of the lunatic fringe. This synagogue has been repeatedly destroyed by the IDF.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.