Pope rebuffs Sharon

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   http://bellaciao.org/en/article.php3?id_article=7287 
Pope Benedict XVI slammed Israel for complaining that the Pontiff failed to mention Israel as one of the countries that suffered acts of terrorism, and claimed that Israel's practice of brutal retaliation that often leads to the deaths of scores of innocent men, women and children made it impossible to condemn such attacks against the Jewish state.

"Not every attack against Israel could be followed by an immediate public condemnation," a statement by the Holy See press office read. "There are various reasons for this, among them the fact that attacks against Israel were sometimes followed by immediate Israeli reactions not always compatible with the norms of international law. It would, consequently, have been impossible to condemn the former and remain silent on the latter." 

"The untenability of the groundless accusations directed against Pope Benedict XVI for not having mentioned - in comments following the Angelus prayer on July 24 - the July 12 terrorist attack in Netanya, Israel, cannot but be clear to the people who made them," the Vatican said. "Perhaps it is also for this reason that an attempt has been made to uphold the accusations by shifting attention to supposed silences of John Paul II on attacks against Israel in past years, even inventing repeated Israeli government petitons to the Holy See on the subject, and requesting that with the new pontificate the Holy See change its attitude."
The Holy See summarily dismissed the accusations.
"John Paul II's declarations condemning all forms of terrorism, and condemning single acts of terrorism committed against Israel, were numerous and public," the Vatican argued, and warned Israel not to interfere in the affairs of a sovereign state. "Just as the Israeli government understandably does not allow its pronouncements to be dictated by others, neither can the Holy See accept lessons and directives from any other authority concerning the orientation and contents of its own declarations."
Nimrod Barkan, an Israeli foreign ministry official lambasted the Pope for not mentioning Israel as a country that was suffering at the hands of terrorists.
"Even these days of serenity and repose have been disrupted by the tragic news of the execrable terrorist attacks which have brought death, destruction and suffering to various countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Iraq and Great Britain," the Pope said on July 24. "As we entrust to divine goodness the dead and injured and their loved ones, victims of gestures that offend both God and man, we call on the Almighty to block the murderous hand of those who, driven by fanaticism and hatred, committed these acts, and we ask that He convert their hearts to thoughts of reconciliation and peace."
A week earlier, a Palestinian suicide bomber killed himself and five Israelis in Israel's seaside town of Netanya.
Israel claimed that the Pope's silence, and that of his predecessor smacked of anti-Semitism.
"It is sad and surprising" the Holy See statement concluded, "that it has gone unobserved how, for the past 26 years, Pope John Paul II's voice has been so often raised with force and passion in the dramatic situation in the Holy Land, condemning all terrorist acts and calling for sentiments of humanity and peace. Affirmations that run counter to historical truth can advantage only those who seek to foment animosity and conflict, and certainly do not serve to improve the situation."
Israel has been occupying Palestinian lands against international law since 1967, and completely ignores UN resolutions calling for immediate withdrawal of troops from occupied territories.
Israelis Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, a wanted war criminal, massacred 20,000 Palestinian civilians in Beirut, which earned him the nickname "Butcher of Beirut."
Under Sharon, who is a proponent of the "maximal killing" strategy, Israeli Defence Force (IDF) routinely carries out indiscriminate attacks against civilians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza strip.
Critics point out that Sharon is a terrorist and what IDF unleashes on Palestinians civilians is terrorism.
source:http://unspun.mithuro.com/content/view/330/36/

Edited by ZamanH

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ZamanH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group Joined: 21 July 2004 Location: India Status: Offline Points: 448	Post Options Post Reply Quote ZamanH Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Pope rebuffs Sharon Posted: 17 August 2005 at 6:30am
	http://bellaciao.org/en/article.php3?id_article=7287 Pope Benedict XVI slammed Israel for complaining that the Pontiff failed to mention Israel as one of the countries that suffered acts of terrorism, and claimed that Israel's practice of brutal retaliation that often leads to the deaths of scores of innocent men, women and children made it impossible to condemn such attacks against the Jewish state. "Not every attack against Israel could be followed by an immediate public condemnation," a statement by the Holy See press office read. "There are various reasons for this, among them the fact that attacks against Israel were sometimes followed by immediate Israeli reactions not always compatible with the norms of international law. It would, consequently, have been impossible to condemn the former and remain silent on the latter." "The untenability of the groundless accusations directed against Pope Benedict XVI for not having mentioned - in comments following the Angelus prayer on July 24 - the July 12 terrorist attack in Netanya, Israel, cannot but be clear to the people who made them," the Vatican said. "Perhaps it is also for this reason that an attempt has been made to uphold the accusations by shifting attention to supposed silences of John Paul II on attacks against Israel in past years, even inventing repeated Israeli government petitons to the Holy See on the subject, and requesting that with the new pontificate the Holy See change its attitude." The Holy See summarily dismissed the accusations. "John Paul II's declarations condemning all forms of terrorism, and condemning single acts of terrorism committed against Israel, were numerous and public," the Vatican argued, and warned Israel not to interfere in the affairs of a sovereign state. "Just as the Israeli government understandably does not allow its pronouncements to be dictated by others, neither can the Holy See accept lessons and directives from any other authority concerning the orientation and contents of its own declarations." Nimrod Barkan, an Israeli foreign ministry official lambasted the Pope for not mentioning Israel as a country that was suffering at the hands of terrorists. "Even these days of serenity and repose have been disrupted by the tragic news of the execrable terrorist attacks which have brought death, destruction and suffering to various countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Iraq and Great Britain," the Pope said on July 24. "As we entrust to divine goodness the dead and injured and their loved ones, victims of gestures that offend both God and man, we call on the Almighty to block the murderous hand of those who, driven by fanaticism and hatred, committed these acts, and we ask that He convert their hearts to thoughts of reconciliation and peace." A week earlier, a Palestinian suicide bomber killed himself and five Israelis in Israel's seaside town of Netanya. Israel claimed that the Pope's silence, and that of his predecessor smacked of anti-Semitism. "It is sad and surprising" the Holy See statement concluded, "that it has gone unobserved how, for the past 26 years, Pope John Paul II's voice has been so often raised with force and passion in the dramatic situation in the Holy Land, condemning all terrorist acts and calling for sentiments of humanity and peace. Affirmations that run counter to historical truth can advantage only those who seek to foment animosity and conflict, and certainly do not serve to improve the situation." Israel has been occupying Palestinian lands against international law since 1967, and completely ignores UN resolutions calling for immediate withdrawal of troops from occupied territories. Israelis Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, a wanted war criminal, massacred 20,000 Palestinian civilians in Beirut, which earned him the nickname "Butcher of Beirut." Under Sharon, who is a proponent of the "maximal killing" strategy, Israeli Defence Force (IDF) routinely carries out indiscriminate attacks against civilians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza strip. Critics point out that Sharon is a terrorist and what IDF unleashes on Palestinians civilians is terrorism. source:http://unspun.mithuro.com/content/view/330/36/ Edited by ZamanH
	An enemy of an enemy is a fickle friend. There will be more women in hell than men. ..for persecution is worse than the slaughter of the enemy..(Quran 2:191) Heaven lies under mother's feet

Community Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group Joined: 19 May 2005 Status: Offline Points: 1135	Post Options Post Reply Quote Community Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 August 2005 at 3:59pm
	Yeah..i guess the Church saw the negative public opinion towards Israel so the Pope got his surf board out to ride that wave...really obvious these kind of leaders trying to gain more followers and keep themselves credible and accepted by people through using the negative feelings of people towards for instance Israel. It is no different then people like Al Zarqawi or any other power hungry figure who uses then anger and negativity of people to gain more power. Surfers riding destructive waves.....very dangerous indeed. Maybe some of you are delighted by mr. Pope's lashing out against Israel.........remember it is the catholic church, the church full of gold...so don't be fooled. Check your frustration with Israel, is it useful? or can it be used by for instance "The Church" to gain your support for them (i would nearly laugh here having the thought of muslims looking with dreamy eyes to the pope like he's some kind of muslim hero) or am i completely wrong about the catholic church? are they amongst the best people in the world giving all to charity and helping out the poor? hmmm?

Whisper Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Male Joined: 25 July 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 4752	Post Options Post Reply Quote Whisper Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 August 2005 at 7:52am
	Hear, hear! Only the Bush team does no such thing. Hear, hear, say no more. Community, do you get paid for such posts or is it honorary service to the Neo-Con cause?