[Conservative Coulter Fan]

The best thing for the Christians of the West Bank would be Israeli governance...or at least it would be preferable to what they have endured under the Palestinian Authority, especially a state administered by Hamas.

[vox_freedom]

No Palestinian (Christian or Muslim) has a recognized status by Israel. Hamas is, in fact, the enemy but without recognition there is no place for Palestinians to go. As we all know, Israel did not exist prior to 1948 and wouldn't exist today without US support.

At present, there is no place for the Palestinians who lived in relative harmony with Jews in their homeland prior to WWII -- and yet, you say there is no place for them now -- except in Israel. ???

[vox_freedom]

Here is the text of Pope Benedict XVI's statement at the close of his visit:

Walls do not last forever

With anguish, I have witnessed the situation of refugees who, like the Holy Family, have had to flee their homes. And I have seen, adjoining the camp and overshadowing much of Bethlehem, the wall that intrudes into your territories, separating neighbors and dividing families.

Although walls can easily be built, we all know that they do not last for ever. They can be taken down. First, though, it is necessary to remove the walls that we build around our hearts, the barriers that we set up against our neighbours.

That is why, in my parting words, I want to make renewed plea for openness and generosity of spirit, for an end to intolerance and exclusion. No matter how intractable and deeply entrenched a conflict may appear to be, there are always grounds to hope that it can be resolved, that the patient and persevering efforts of those who work for peace and reconciliation will bear fruit in the end.

Benedict XVI
Farewell ceremony in the courtyard of the Palestinian Presidential Palace
May 13, 2009