Vatican says Israel "humiliating" Palestinians

Reuters ^ | 03 Apr 2002 | Staff

[KirkandBurke]

03 Apr 2002 13:24
Vatican says Israel "humiliating" Palestinians

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(Adds further quotes, background)

VATICAN CITY, April 3 (Reuters) - The Vatican sharply criticised Israel on Wednesday for imposing "unjust conditions and humiliations" on the Palestinians and also denounced acts of terrorism targeting the Jewish state.

In a strongly worded statement, the Vatican said it had called in the Israeli and U.S. ambassadors to the Holy See on Tuesday to discuss the crisis in the Middle East.

Although it condemned acts of terrorism, in apparent reference to a recent wave of Palestinian suicide attacks, the statement also included a long list of criticisms of Israel.

It said Pope John Paul "rejects unjust conditions and humiliations imposed on the Palestinian people as well as the reprisals and revenge attacks which do nothing but feed the sense of frustration and hatred".

In another apparent criticism of Israel, the Vatican called for a proportionate use of force for "legitimate acts of self-defence" and a respect of United Nations resolutions.

The statement came as Israeli tanks took possession of a number of West Bank towns, including Bethlehem, where some 200 Palestinian armed militants were holed up in one of Christianity's holiest sites, the Church of the Nativity.

The United Nations on Saturday passed a resolution calling on Israel to leave Palestinian-ruled areas.

The Vatican said the "dramatic situation" in Bethlehem had been at the centre of Tuesday's talks between Vatican Foreign Minister Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, the Israeli ambassador Yosef Neville Lamdan and U.S. ambassador James Nicholson.

The Vatican news agency, Fides, earlier on Wednesday launched an appeal for a peaceful solution to the Bethlehem standoff.

It said there were some 40 Franciscan monks and nuns inside the church as well as 30 Greek Orthodox and Armenian monks.

It added that there were frantic negotiations underway to save the lives of the Palestinians and persuade them to lay down their arms. "If this doesn't happen, the place where Jesus was born will become the theatre and cradle of massacres and violence," Fides said.

The Vatican said on Wednesday it had also called in a representative of the Arab League to demand an end "to indiscriminate acts of terrorism" against Israel.

Pope John Paul, in his Easter message to the world on Sunday, said it seemed war had been declared on peace in the Holy Land and appealed for an end to what he called a spiral of abuse of power and killing.

"The tragedy is truly great," he told pilgrims to the Vatican City.

[KirkandBurke]

This is not intended as an anti-Israel post. It is, however, significant that the Vatican is taking such a stand. This will affect catholics around the world and will be a hotly debated issue among both catholics and other christian denominations. The Palestinians are no angels, but Israel seems to be losing support in many quarters. Will this conflict become a "line in the sand" in world events?

The level of violence in Israel has risen to a critical stage. The larger question is whether or not this can be resolved without further bloodshed. If a permanent, independent Palestinian state is established, Israel's land mass will be reduced once again. If it includes the Gaza strip, as well as the West Bank, the potential of cutting Israel in half becomes an imminent possiblity. I have no doubt that Palestinians would move in that direction. That possibility would likely result in further fighting, as the Israelis would not willingly go along with such a partition and the further loss of territory. Another issue is what will happen to Jerusalem? Will it become a Middle Eastern Berlin? The introduction of a UN peacekeeping force has been proposed, but that is a bad can of worms that I certainly wouldn't favor.

This is an ugly situation and the current US presence in Central Asia, along with rumblings of an Iraqi incursion adds to the heat.

[Tuco-bad]

The larger question is whether or not this can be resolved without further bloodshed. If a permanent, independent Palestinian state is established, Israel's land mass will be reduced once again. If it includes the Gaza strip, as well as the West Bank,

Israel already offered the Palestians an independent state, including the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

The ONLY goal of the Palestians is the destruction of Israel.

[sinkspur]

This will affect catholics around the world

It absolutely will NOT.

The Vatican's positions on foreign policy issues, since they are not matters of faith, are open to discussion.

And, here is one Catholic who thinks the Vatican is dead wrong. But, John Paul II, unlike George W. Bush, has met with Arafat on numerous occasions and has some affinity for the Palestinians. The suicide bombings don't seem to be as big of an issue to him as does the military response of the Israelis.

[rbmillerjr]

"...significant that the Vatican is taking such a stand. This will affect catholics around the world and will be a hotly debated issue among both catholics and other christian denominations.

Well as a Catholic, the Vatican position doesn't influence me one bit. THEY ARE WRONG AND ARE POOR DIPLOMATS. I have no interest in their opinion on social policy or politics, especially international relations.

[uncbob]

Vatican ought to find a way to protect its own children from sexual molestation before solving world conflicts

[tiki]

What is obvious in this article is that Reuters wrote it to suit their own political leanings. What is worse, being condemned for terror attacks or being nagged at for not treating someone right? Obviously it is terror attacks but this article puts humiliation over death and is overtly pro-Palestine. It is just like every other news organization with an agenda, they use a bit of the truth to further the writers own views.

[WaterDragon]

Yes, Holy Father. Humiliation is what is intended. And worse. Thank God.

[BrooklynGOP]

Oh, really? Can anyone dig up any statements from the Vatican following all the wars that Arabs started against Israel?

[mgc1122]

Memo to Vatican - No doubt those armed Pallies in the church in Bethelem were "humiliated" to the point of desperation? Perhaps the Catholic Church should consider buying a clue ....

[AmishDude]

But, John Paul II, unlike George W. Bush, has met with Arafat on numerous occasions and has some affinity for the Palestinians.

I think also that there are a small number of Palestinian Christians who claim to be with the Pali cause influences JPII. I wholeheartedly disagree with this attitude and the Christians would be MUCH better off in Israel proper, of course.

[B-Chan]

The thing to understand here is that the Vatican's primary concerns in this situation are not political, but moral. The mission of the Church is to stand as a guardian of the dignity and sanctity of human life -- ALL human life. I support them in this mission, as I hope all Christians do.

For the record, however: I diasgree with the Church's stand on this issue, if indeed this article represents an official political stance of the Church. I believe that Israel is the only civilized state in the Middle East and that her government has the legitimate right to take whatever steps are needed to insure the safety and survival of the Israeli people. Fortunately, our faith as Catholics does not require us to agree with the political opinions of the Holy Father or the Vatican hierarchy -- we are bound only to follow their infallible teaching in matters of faith and morals.

I, too want the killing to stop. Palestinian kids are still kids. No one wants to see more dead kids -- on either side. However, I differ with those in the Vatican who call for peace with the Palestinians in that I do not believe that a negotiated peace is possible any longer. The only peace that can come now is the peace of Hiroshima, the peace of Nuremburg; the peace that comes when one nation imposes its will onto another by force of arms.

May God forgive us all.

[AmishDude]

Israel already offered the Palestians an independent state, including the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

The ONLY goal of the Palestians is the destruction of Israel.

2 posted on 4/3/02 9:54 AM Eastern by Tuco-bad

Talk about stopped clocks!

[lavaroise]

I can see the Vatican clerics coming down the cross with sleeved rolled up against the Jews. If there is any gross picture to be offended about, it is the one the Vatican is giving itself and others.

Defining people and nations are a mortal sin.

[scratchgolfer]

History repeats itself.

[Risky Schemer]

In a strongly worded statement, the Vatican said it had called in the Israeli and U.S. ambassadors to the Holy See on Tuesday to discuss the crisis in the Middle East.

"[A]mbassadors to the Holy See"? Nations have ambassadors to the Pope?

Then there are surely ambassadors to the Dalai Lama. And the Southern Baptist Convention. And to the Mormons. Right?

[SkyPilot]

Note to the Vatican:

Get the beam out of your own eye (i.e. deal with Homosexual priests sexually abusing teenage boys) before you point out the speck in the eye of Israel defending itself from nail bombs.

[ClancyJ]

Humilated? It is pretty humilating to have to scrape people off the sidewalk after the Palestinians humilated the Israelis by killing their women and children and unarmed citizens.

Did not hear any Vatican comments then. I guess they think the mere blowing people to pieces by martyrs is awe inspiring.

[keeper53]

AmishDude:LOL,I was thinking the same thing! Tuco-bad: do you support Israel? If so,I would be pleasantly surprised!:) Sinkspur: what is going on here with these statements? How do you feel about this? thanks in advance, keeper

[KirkandBurke]

Your disagreement with the Vatican is how this stance affects you. That was my point. There will be those who will agree with the Vatican and those who won't. It's not a matter of faith, but it does set up tensions within the body of the church.