Posted on 12/24/2001 8:36:44 AM PST by KQQL
Vatican Condemns Israel’s Ban on Arafat’s Travels to Bethlehem
(IsraelNationalNews.com) The Vatican today publcly condemned Israel's ban on Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat from travelling to Bethlehem. The Vatican is reported as attempting to convince Israel to reverse the decision
One of the major problems that the Catholic Church faces today is that the areas of the world that have embraced the "culture of death" are, by and large, the West (including Israel). Even more puzzling is that the strongest opponents of this culture of death have been found, of all places, in the Muslim world!
When the Islamic revolutionaries staged their uprising in Iran in 1979, the U.S. embassy was the second building that they pillaged. The first one was the Tehran offices of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF).
I'll bet you never knew that. Don't feel bad, though -- the West has done a good job of keeping that small item under wraps.
First, Israel's borders are only unsettled because the Arab world (with all of its oil wealth) doesn't recognize its right to exist - with the exception of Egypt and Jordan. The borders are very clearly defined - if any army tries to cross into the Golan Heights or over the Jordan River, the IDF will pummel them. Everyone in the world knows it, most especially those with designs on Israel - so much for being undefined. These territories were captured in a defensive war, and Israel has the right under international law to retain them for as long as it wishes. Just what we did, for example, with Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and California, when Mexico started up with us in 1848. When we give back this territory to Mexico, then Israel should give its conquered territory back to the Syrians and Jordan. The same might be said for territory taken by force of arms from the various Indian tribes/nations. I am in favor of none of these scenarios.
BTW, there NEVER was a Palestine ruled by Arabs, and Jerusalem was NEVER a capital for any people or nation other than the Jews and Israel (both ancient and modern). So why does the Vatican stand for them now? Where was the Vatican (and the rest of the world, especially the Arabs) when Jordan ruled Jerusalem and the "West Bank" from 1948-1967? Did the Vatican or any other nation stand up for "Palestine" or "Palestinian rights?" No, they were silent - and this silence was/is deafening.
Regarding Israel's capital being in disputed territory - this is a load of horse manure. Just so you know, Israel's government is located in the western part of the city, and has been since 1948. In view of this fact, to not recognize Israel as a nation, or Jerusalem as its capital, is an incredible insult both to Israel and to Jews worldwide. I would think that the Vatican would have more sense and more sensitivity. The Vatican should at least recognize Israel in its pre-1967 borders as a nation, with the modern part of Jerusalem as its capital.
Personally, I believe that the Vatican refuses to recognize Israel as a nation and Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem because it doesn't want to acknowledge that anyone can have sovereignty over Christian holy sites. I see no particular problem with such recognition, in view of the fact that Israel has always protected these sights and the right of any Christian to visit them. There are plenty of holy sites for various religions around the world that are part of the sovereign territory of one nation or another. Why is Jerusalem any different? Why is Israel any different?
The Pope is just mad because Israel is letting the Muslims build a mosque in Bethlehem which will get in the way of a Christian church. Hey Mr. Pope, if you don't support Israel against the hordes of theocidal Muslims, Israel won't support YOU.
If the Vatican doesn't care about the destruction of Jewish holy sites, why should Israel care about the destruction of Christian sites?
I believe that is precisely what was agreed upon when the Vatican and Israel reached their historic agreement a few years back. You have to remember, though, that this places the onus of determining the status of East Jerusalem (as well as the rest of the occupied territories) squarely on the shoulders of Israel and the Palestinians.
Your comments about Israel's "right" to occupy the West Bank and Gaza Strip because of the manner in which they were obtained are correct. What you failed to point out, though, is that the strongest pressure for Israel to give up these territories is coming from within Israel! This is a clear indication that Israel itself has recognized that they are not willing to pay the price (in a military as well as economic sense) of holding these areas in the long term.
Where is the Vatican's foreign policy leading you ?
What's your problem?
Islamic terrorists are trying to murder millions of Israelis and Americans. WWIII is at the door. Evil ones are leading millions and millions to destruction and you ask What's your problem?. Typique.
"Is there any reason to lament the decline of a civilization that has contributed so much to its own demise?"
There is a major difference between a culture that sees people dropping babies into the river because they truly cannot raise them and a culture that is dominated by people who would rather have a third car than a third child.
Fortunately, there is a God in Israel.
Do the Israelis know that? I'm talking specifically about the ones who are shrinking in number by the day due to a loss of faith, low birthrate, etc.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=15170
18:43 Dec-24-01, 9 Tevet 5762
Vatican Condemns Israel’s Ban on Arafat’s
Travels to Bethlehem
(IsraelNationalNews.com) The Vatican today
publcly condemned Israel's ban on Palestinian
Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat from travelling
to Bethlehem. The Vatican is reported as
attempting to convince Israel to reverse the
decision
How come they don't quote a source? Who said/issued this?
Nothing under " http://www.vatican.va/latest_en.htm"
Couldn't find anything using a search on 'Israel' on that site either ...
(PS. The top-of-the-hour ABC News had a slightly different story than the one reported here.)
The day the Palestinians get a state of their own is the day this cash spigot is turned off. Arafat knows this better than anyone else.
Relax. When the Pope speaks on matters of faith and morals ex cathedra to the members of the church he is infallible.When he expresses his opinins about other matters he is fair game, and may be an idiot in a funny hat depending on your opinion of the matter being commented on by the pope outside of faith and morals. - Tom
The basis of this well-crafted plan was that Germany and the Soviet Union would engage in a long, drawn-out conflict on the eastern front that would ensure that in the longer term neither nation would be in a position to challenge England and France as the dominant force on the continent. Allowing Germany to build an enormous military machine was necessary to achieve this goal.
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.