Loose Cannon
2023-04-07 20:03:38 UTC
If you are a Christian in the Middle East, theres only one place
where you are safe, asserted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,
speaking to Christian Zionists in Rio de Janeiro in December 2018.
Theres only one place where the Christian community is growing,
thriving, prospering. Thats in the State of Israel.
Netanyahus claim is a central element of the image Israeli officials
put forward about the country when speaking to Western audiences.
Ahead of Christmas last year, Israels official Twitter account posted
a video of the Foreign Ministrys Digital Diplomacy chief David
Saranga on a magical Christmas stroll through Jerusalems Old City.
kjm
The picture of safe coexistence painted by Israeli officials is
starkly at odds with the experiences Jerusalems Christian leaders
themselves describe. While they readily acknowledge that there is no
organized or governmental effort against them, Christian clergy in the
Old City tell of a deteriorating atmosphere of harassment, apathy from
authorities, and a growing fear that incidents of spitting and
vandalism could turn into something far darker.
And with Netanyahu already under scrutiny from Western allies over
policies toward the Palestinians and attempts at sweeping judicial
reform, deteriorating safety for Christians or at least Church
leaders disseminating that narrative could become another serious
diplomatic problem for Israels embattled government.
On Friday, hundreds of Catholic schoolchildren in Jerusalem embarked
on their traditional march along the Via Dolorosa as they do every
year during the 40 days of Lent.
The march, joined by the two senior Catholic figures in the Holy Land
Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Custodian of the Holy Land
Francesco Patton was not limited to a protest against that one
incident.
We are horrified and hurt in the wake of the many incidents of
violence and hatred that have taken place recently against the
Catholic community in Israel, said Patton, also known as the Custos.
Fr. Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land, Guardian of the
Christian Holy Places in the Holy Land on behalf of the Catholic
Church (Courtesy)
He cited seven incidents that have taken place in recent weeks, saying
pointedly that it is no coincidence that these serious incidents are
taking place specifically now.
We expect and demand from the Israeli government and law enforcement
to act with determination to stamp these serious phenomena.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/as-attacks-on-christians-become-more-frequent-a-crisis-looms-for-israel/
where you are safe, asserted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,
speaking to Christian Zionists in Rio de Janeiro in December 2018.
Theres only one place where the Christian community is growing,
thriving, prospering. Thats in the State of Israel.
Netanyahus claim is a central element of the image Israeli officials
put forward about the country when speaking to Western audiences.
Ahead of Christmas last year, Israels official Twitter account posted
a video of the Foreign Ministrys Digital Diplomacy chief David
Saranga on a magical Christmas stroll through Jerusalems Old City.
kjm
The picture of safe coexistence painted by Israeli officials is
starkly at odds with the experiences Jerusalems Christian leaders
themselves describe. While they readily acknowledge that there is no
organized or governmental effort against them, Christian clergy in the
Old City tell of a deteriorating atmosphere of harassment, apathy from
authorities, and a growing fear that incidents of spitting and
vandalism could turn into something far darker.
And with Netanyahu already under scrutiny from Western allies over
policies toward the Palestinians and attempts at sweeping judicial
reform, deteriorating safety for Christians or at least Church
leaders disseminating that narrative could become another serious
diplomatic problem for Israels embattled government.
On Friday, hundreds of Catholic schoolchildren in Jerusalem embarked
on their traditional march along the Via Dolorosa as they do every
year during the 40 days of Lent.
The march, joined by the two senior Catholic figures in the Holy Land
Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Custodian of the Holy Land
Francesco Patton was not limited to a protest against that one
incident.
We are horrified and hurt in the wake of the many incidents of
violence and hatred that have taken place recently against the
Catholic community in Israel, said Patton, also known as the Custos.
Fr. Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land, Guardian of the
Christian Holy Places in the Holy Land on behalf of the Catholic
Church (Courtesy)
He cited seven incidents that have taken place in recent weeks, saying
pointedly that it is no coincidence that these serious incidents are
taking place specifically now.
We expect and demand from the Israeli government and law enforcement
to act with determination to stamp these serious phenomena.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/as-attacks-on-christians-become-more-frequent-a-crisis-looms-for-israel/