Posted on 07/14/2006 6:20:15 PM PDT by sionnsar
Terrorism against Israel must stop, but the bombing of a Palestinian power plant is unlikely to contribute toward that objective, according to the Bishop of Massachusetts, the Rt. Rev. M. Thomas Shaw, SSJE. Bishop Shaw and several Episcopal priests joined with some 100 other protesters July 12 in front of the Israeli consulate in Boston.
The latest round of Middle East violence began June 25 after Palestinian militants tunneled underneath the border, ambushed soldiers at an Israeli army outpost killing three and taking one injured soldier prisoner. In response Israel massed some 7,000 troops, 80 tanks and 180 armored personnel carriers at the border. The Israelis also seized the airport in Gaza, wrecked three bridges and destroyed all six transformers at an electrical power plant that supplies 45 percent of all electricity to Gaza. On July 12, the Israeli army also entered the neighboring country of Lebanon after an attack by militants based there.
“We pray for the Israeli solder, Corporal Gilad Shalit and for an immediate and peaceful halt to the hostilities raging for the past two weeks in the Gaza Strip and for the peaceful coexistence of Israel and Palestine,” Bishop Shaw said. “I believe the best way to achieve peace in the Middle East is to allow families and businesses to live, work and operate in an environment free of danger.”
In a prepared statement, Bishop Shaw said the destruction of the electrical generators and other actions by the Israeli army are “endangering the life, health and safety of hundreds of thousands of innocent victims.” In addition to the bombing, Bishop Shaw referred to an incident over the weekend in which an Episcopal priest attempted to wire $5,000 to the Al Ahli Anglican Hospital in Gaza, but could not confirm that the transmission had been successful. “We cannot let the most vulnerable people suffer as a result of this deliberate destruction of the infrastructure,” he said.
Israel’s top diplomat in Boston has agreed to meet with Bishop Shaw and other local Christian leaders. Jewish community leaders told the Boston Globe the meeting with the Consul General was in the works before the protest.
Israel evacuated its army from the 28-mile long strip of land known as the Gaza less than a year ago after having occupied it since the 1980s. With a population of more than 1.4 million, the Gaza is one of the most densely populated areas on earth. Its narrow crowded streets greatly complicate rescue operations.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. Living church indeed!
If this blowhard cleric were dropped into the middle of Gaza, his bowels would turn to water and he would beg the Israelis to rescue him before he was tortured, decapitated, burned and his remains hung from a bridge.
Not only are Israel and Christians in Lebanon, Syria, etc. in grave danger, but this whole thing may be a bid by Iran for supreme leadership of the international islamist jihad. Lord have mercy! And our stupid dhimmi mis-leaders are playing right into the mullahs' and ayatollahs' hands, and trying to pull us laypeople right along with them!!!!
My only question -- Where was the PCUSA leadership?
Calling for a halt to the hostilities is a fine idea. What happens, though, when one party won't cooperate? What should the other party do?
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