More tragedy for Palestinian civilians, thanks to Israel's policies
There are so many stories about Palestinians abused and discriminated against by Israel, yet they are often ignored by the mainstream media in Christian countries like the United States. This story is about Monks whose livelihood is being squashed by Israel’s Wall — right, it’s a fence!
Anyway, the extension of the Wall around Bethlehem — which symbolizes a continued land grab by the Israeli government — will pretty much shut down this winery run by the nearby monks. But what I found most fascinating was how the most important part of the story — Christian Arabs are discriminated against by Jews AND Muslims, and ignored by the Christians of the West.
http://news.scotsman.com/world/Bad-year-for-winemaking-monks.4163473.jp
Read it an weep.
How to respond:
If you are Israeli, respond by pointing out that Israel has to takeover the winery in order to stop the firing of Kassam Rockets out of the Gaza Strip.
If you are Muslim, respond by accusing Ray Hanania of being an anti-Muslim bigot. Muslims love Christians. We need them. They make the best football in our political fight with Israel.
If you are an American Christian, respond by asking in typical American ignorance: “Aren’t all Arabs Muslims?”
If you are an Arab Christian, respond by cautioning me in a private email: “Ray. We don’t highlight the bigotry of Muslims against Christians because it feeds into Israel’s hands. It’s okay to hate Jews. But before we fight with the Muslims, let’s get rid of the Jews, first.”
If you are a “leader” in the Palestinian National Authority, respond by saying, “We deeply regret the Zionist entity’s continued oppression of the Palestinian People. We reject Israel’s continued rejection of our rejections.”
If you are a leader of Hamas, respond by saying, well, nothing of any significance because you don’t recognize Christian Palestinians. Just more jibberish rhetoric and stupid comments about Monkeys, 72 Virgins and women who refuse to cover their faces should be killed. Stuff like that.
Ray Hanania
www.TheMediaOasis.com
Join the Conversation
Palestinians use terror therefore Palestinians suffer the consequences. No mercy for terrorist supporters.
And I guess the IDF and the Israeli government uses cotton candy. What they do in Palestine and Lebanon are not terrorizing at all. Being constantly under threat by one of the world’s largest and powerful militaries is such a simple thing to deal with, you are right! And they certainly are merciless.
Terrorism in the name of self-defense is still terrorism. Israel is no exception. Both governments have their mistakes, being a blind staunch supporter of one side without ever having to admit to their mistakes only turns you into some kind of crazy nationalist.
Ray criticizes Palestinian terrorism all the time, I don’t see many Israelis denouncing theirs, at least not in this forum, and that’s a problem.
And how did they become christians? I think most ‘Arab christians’ are Arabified by ‘the imperialist Arabs’. And I agree with Esra’a terrorism is just bullshit and propaganda method to vilify your opponents. Oppressors and victims doesn’t exist. Maybe this is a result of the black and white world of religion.
I think most ‘Arab christians’ are Arabified by ‘the imperialist Arabs’.
What?
Arabs wether are christians or moslims are the same to me. They share the same customs, traditions and respect. I do not hate the jews,i am sure there are some of them agree what i say. THE BIBLE, QURAN, AND TORAH TO ME ARE ALL TALKING ABOUT THE SAME God. All of us has hands,legs,eyes,mouth and Even LOVE.
NABIL BAHOU
Copts, Assyrians, Arameans, Maronites, etc aren’t Arabs.
Oh this crap again.
Yep, Arabization is crap. Also Arab christians supporting Baathism and Saddam Huseyn.
Have just spent the last twenty minutes searching for an updated map of the wall-no luck (but then, I am tired). I am curious how close this segment is to the Green Line.
I am sorry about what is happening to the monks.
I am of mixed feelings about the Wall. On the one hand, by most accounts it has reduced terrorist attacks–no minor consideration. On the other hand, for any number of reasons it would be healthier if we could just have two countries side by side with relatively easy access between the two. I just do not know if it is possible.
Will read up some more on this tomorrow.
Noahides are not Jewish, they can be of any religion, they follow 7 laws mentioned in the book of Genesis, including worshipping one G-d, with noahides all the conflicting( superficially conflicting, the essence of all is the same) people feel safe. I wish i could have a Noahide land some where and take all the jewish and Palestinian people who feel they have problems, and then i wouldn’t let any one harm them, we would only farm
Terrorism vs. self defense
Unprovoked attacks on innocent civilians to install fear and obtain self serving goals = Hamas (Al Qaida, Hezbollah, Nazi Germany etc.)
vs.
Retaliation of above= Israel (USA-on Afghanistan after 9/11, allied forces WWII)
I do wish USA and Europe would add a cause to defend and stand up for Christians in the Middle East.
Is it still safe for Christians to visit Bethlehem? If not, then shame on both Muslims and Jews.
elinor(Iran); I will join you in that quest-let’s get a Noahide land but you have to add the Christians, too. Peace,SLM!
With this tedious and totally silly logic, we would have the full right to attack the USA on the premise of self-defense.
We think U.S invasions are forms of dangerous terrorism. As Arabs and Muslims most of us think this way. Whenever you invade one of our neighboring countries, it is terrorism, and you do not have the right to say otherwise, because it’s not your life in question here it is ours and we know when we are being terrorized.
The USA attacked both Iraq and Afghanistan in the name of “self defense” despite an apparent lack of evidence of the USA having anything to do with 9/11. How do you explain that? This is stupidity, NOT self defense. Innocent lives were terrorized. This is terrorism in action, and the occupation continues in Iraq.
Your logic is totally racist in my view, and I personally find them to be completely ill-informed, simplistic and frankly, insulting.
Hi Katarina … why did you leave out the unprovoked, unjustified, internationally criminal US attack on Iraq from her equation?
Ray Hanania
http://www.TheMediaOasis.com
Ray hanania;
You are right, US invasion in Iraq is an enormous mistake, and unjustified etc.
Katarina
Not sure what I make of all this. Christians of the middle east may get referred to as ‘Arabs’ to make the numbers seem bigger and also there are some who have taken on or been forced over years to adopt arab culture. However, dont for one minuete think that it is only them who are oppressed. When bombs are dropped and gunmen fire, muslims and jews also loose lives. These are all religions that people happen to be, not races as such although Im aware peoples church denomonations etc form an important part of their identity and in some cases do have alot to do with particular races. Its often the case that Muslims are soey referred to as Arab but not all arabs are muslim and not all muslims are arab. Arab can mean someone who originates in arabia or someone who has arab culture and speaks the culture. Dont forget that many Muslim Palestinians are just as anncient as christians, its just that they were converetd to islam many years ago. Many christians/jews converted to islam during the crusader era to. People need to stop being so narrow minded. Palestinians, muslim, christian or jewish share the same heritage, so stop looking at their religion and scratch beneath the surface.
also….on baathism. One of the founding memebers of baathism was actually a greek orthodox, i think, not a muslim and not an arab. One of the high ranking officials in the baath party was a chaldo-assyrian christian, again not an arab or a muslim. I think his name was Tariq Aziz. Many palestinians in the popular front movement were christian, not muslim. the plo and fatahs motives are not religous, they are secular. as much as israel and the usa dont want to admit it, palestinians are anncient peoples, so dont be fooled by the fact the name palestine is more modern or by religion.
peace