God punished Columbia because an Israeli 'spy' was on board, Palestinians say

Jerusalem Post ^

[RCW2001]

God punished the space shuttle Columbia because its crew, which included an Israeli astronaut, was on an espionage mission against the Arab and Muslim nations, some Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip told The Jerusalem Post today.

Many did not share the feelings of their leaders, such as Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat who offered his condolences to the US over the Columbia tragedy.

"They were sent to space to spy on the Arabs and Muslims,"said Rudainah Salman, a 28-year-old schoolteacher from Ramallah. "I have no sympathy for the astronauts because they were doing something bad to us. Allah punished them because of their bad intentions. I hate the Americans and the Israelis because of what they are doing to our people."

Salim Najjar, a mosque preacher from a village near Jerusalem, told a group of Muslim worshippers that a "divine omnipotence" was behind the tragedy.

"This is a message from God to America and Israel that they must stop their aggression against the Arabs and Muslims," he said. "Israel and America are trying to control the world through their arrogance and with the help of military force. On Saturday they were reminded that God is there to protect the believers, the people of the Prophet Mohammed, God s blessing and peace be upon him."

At the Kalandya refugee camp south of Ramallah, a group of young men sitting in a small restaurant said they felt happy when they heard the news of the space shuttle explosion.

"We heard that the Israeli was a pilot in the Israeli air force who had participated in the attack on the Iraqi nuclear reactor," said Jamil Shehadeh, a 22-year-old mechanic. "God is great because this pilot has now been punished for the crime which he committed. I wish we will have more disasters like this in the US and Israel. Who do the Americans and Israelis think they are?"

One of his friends, Ayman Dweik, 19, said he heard "somewhere on TV" that the Columbia explosion was the first in a series of disasters that are expected to hit the US.

"They said on TV that the next strike is going to be when the sea opens and swallows one of the American warships that s on its way to attack Iraq. This is the will of Allah, that all the enemies of Islam shall be destroyed. People here say that the shuttle was on an espionage mission to gather information on the Arab and Muslim countries," Dweik said.

A Christian shopkeeper in the Old City of Jerusalem said he was stunned to see that many of his colleagues expressed their joy at the tragedy. "I can't understand many of these people who say they are delighted that the space shuttle exploded," he said.

"This isn't a political issue. So what if an Israeli astronaut was on board. We need to deal with this subject on a human and scientific basis. This is a tragedy to all mankind."

[Blue Collar Christian]

I know, huh.

[Let's Roll]

If they're so into seeing the wrath of God in this incident, perhaps the fact that debris from the Columbia rained down in and around Palestine will cause them some concern.

According to the "Palestine Herald Press" of Palestine, TX, there were 55 confirmed debris sites in their county.

[sam_paine]

These people don't sound mean or vicious. To me they sound just like an ignorant child would, reciting something they heard on TV. I frankly can't get mad at someone whose worldview is so small that they think there would be some reason to allocate mission time to spy on their goat-herding, latrine ditch squatting, and turban wrapping.

[A2J]

What "god" is this that punishes a group of innocents btw ?

Allah, the god of Islam.

[unspun]

Why would the Palestinians think well of a sacrificed Jew coming down from the heavens?

[sweetliberty]

"These primitives are one step above cave dwellers."

These primitives are one step above cave dwellers.

[sweetliberty]

ROTFL!

[unspun]

I would be careful not to dismiss out of hand, that God pays attention to nations and moves and disciplines them, since the Bible says that is precisely what He does.

If God promises that blessed is the nation which acknowledges and obeys Him, what does that say about nations that do not?

[unspun]

Let's make sure we love and forgive, and not hate.

Kill of course, when we need to, but forgive.

[Blue Scourge]

Oh well, it is the same ole same ole from the Muslims of the middle east. Kinda ironic that during the 15th century they were one of the most advanced societies......they just never moved forward again.

And on a side note, if Islam is a religion of peace (it does have some peaceful aspects) than why are almost all of the "hot zones" in the world heavilly populated by Muslims?

[537 Votes]

Allah punished them because of their bad intentions.

God must approve, then, of all the Americans who fly safely every day.

[Braak]

Man, every day, they just wanna make sure we have more of a reason to destroy them root and branch. Better watch it Mr. Pali, we have made radioactive glass before..and we can do it again.

[unspun]

And on a side note, if Islam is a religion of peace (it does have some peaceful aspects) than why are almost all of the "hot zones" in the world heavilly populated by Muslims?

Yes and why did Mohammed gain control in his religious power posturing, through cutthroat warfare upon those who wished to live in peace?

[glockmeister40]

When israel finally kicks the palestinians ass for good, who is god punishing then?

[Blue Scourge]

btw, I'm new how do you get the italics for a quote to come up...

and on topic, my point exactly.

[ezo4]

oh ...brother

[cubreporter]

Who cares if they like us? Maybe they'll change their minds when they see our military up close and personal. Oh wait, that would be too late for them to change their minds wouldn't it?????

[angkor]

what does that say about nations that do not?

It says that theology is available in comic books.

[sweetliberty]

"OPERATION: RAGHEAD BEGONE"

ROTFL!

[sweetliberty]

I think somebody forgot their tinfoil.

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