Replies

Later in the day, the Israeli foreign minister adopted a more conciliatory statement, saying that he thought the Pope's failure to include Israel on his list of recent terror victims was "mistake and not a deliberate omission."

Israel loses my sympathies by carrying on with hypersensitive posturing.

I don't think it was 'mistake' and I think it was a deliberate omission by the pope. He wanted to comment specifically on a rash of terrorism that occurred around the world within the last 3 days, something that gave his statements an immediacy and application to all sorts of people in various countries about the threat of terrorism. Only if there had been a major terrorist attack in Israel during that period would the silly Israeli charge have any merit.

You'd expect a cheap attack like this from the ADL, in one of their little fundraising efforts or their attempts to convince patrons that they can still make a stink about something relevant. I'd normally expect professional diplomats, especially the savvy Israelis, to handle themselves more professionally than they did in this sorry episode.

Ah, well, I'm probably more irritated than Ratzinger was over it. He's a clever and cool-headed fellow. I think the Israelis would be smart not to antagonize him without very good cause.

Ah, well, I'm probably more irritated than Ratzinger was over it. He's a clever and cool-headed fellow. I think the Israelis would be smart not to antagonize him without very good cause

The Pope mentions London, Iraq, Egypt, and Turkey but not Israel? He is disturbed by terrorism in three Muslim Countries. Egypt's persecution of the Copts is Legendary. The Turks historical persecution of Christians is legendary. It still persecutes Christians. Iraq's treatment of Christians is worsening now that Hussein is gone. Yet. I have not heard of the Jews persecuting Christians in Israel. Yet the rocket and mortar attacks continue between suicide bombings in Israel. Just as the European media is silent, so goes the Pope. I can understand the Jews feeling left out. And they should speak up because apparently no one else will. I guess its just too bad you get tired of hearing about it.