Free Republic

AP reported Sunday that “Pope Francis delivered a powerful boost of support to the Palestinians during a Holy Land pilgrimage Sunday, repeatedly backing their statehood aspirations, praying solemnly at Israel’s controversial separation barrier and calling the stalemate in peace efforts ‘unacceptable.’”Not only that, but “Palestinian officials hailed Francis’ decision to refer to the ‘state of Palestine.’ In its official program, the Vatican referred to President Mahmoud Abbas as the president of the ‘state of Palestine,’ and his Bethlehem office as the ‘presidential palace.’ He pointedly called Abbas a ‘man of peace.’”This is not really all that surprising. After all,...

NEW YORK - President Bush tried to boost Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas Wednesday as "a man of peace" who can help advance Mideast talks that have been stalled with militant Hamas leaders controlling the Palestinian parliament. Abbas told Bush, "We are in dire need of your help and support." He assured Bush that Palestinians want peace, despite the election of Hamas, which is sworn to Israel's destruction and has rebuffed international demands to recognize Israel and renounce violence. "The Palestinian people desire peace, and there is no power on Earth that can prevent the Palestinian people from moving toward the...

President George W. Bush described Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas Wednesday as "a man of peace" who can help advance Mideast talks that stalled after Hamas swept into power during the last elections. Abbas assured Bush that Palestinians want peace, despite the election of Hamas, which is sworn to Israel's destruction and has rebuffed international demands to recognize Israel and renounce violence. "The Palestinian people desire peace, and there is no power on Earth that can prevent the Palestinian people from moving toward the peaceful solution and living and coexisting in peace," he said.