Not Our Pope – Condolences Deleted
The Israeli government shared and then deleted a social media post offering condolences over the death of Pope Francis.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs ministry justified the deletion by claiming that “the tweet and messages were posted by mistake. We responded to the pope’s statements against Israel and war during his life, and we will not do so after his death. We respect the feelings of his followers.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar chose not to make any statements or release any communications regarding the death of the Catholic leader, a gesture that has been interpreted as a deliberate decision.
The reasons behind the Israeli government’s actions are no secret and are related to the Pope’s statements on the conflict in Palestine and the war in Gaza.
During the past year, Francisco had stated about the conflict that “it is not a war, it is cruelty”, and blamed Israel for “bombing children and riddling them with machine guns”. In another statement, he claimed that “what is happening in Gaza has characteristics of genocide”.
In November, Pope Francis suggested the global community should study whether Israel’s military campaign in Gaza constitutes a genocide of the Palestinian people.
Some of his public gestures also led to criticism in Israel. Among them was the unveiling of a nativity scene in St Peter’s Square in December, where the Infant Jesus was depicted wrapped in a Palestinian keffiyeh, and his highly publicised daily calls to Holy Family Church in Gaza. (He did not call to any other church in the Muslim countries where Christians are systematically discriminated and persecuted!)
This was the Pope who said on October 7 “they killed someone” and brought relations with the Jewish world to the lowest point in a strange convergence between Christian anti-Judaism and Muslim anti-Jewish hatred.
Is not surprising that in the Muslim and Arab world, his passing was marked by tributes from Hamas and UNRWA. (As a leader of 1.4 billion Christians Pope Francis knew that his criticism of Israel would spark Jew-hate in the traditionally pre-disposed anti-Semitic community.)
Pope Francis expressed distrust of the West and support for Israel’s enemies.
The Pope who said that “there is an Arab invasion of Europe, a social fact, but how many invasions has Europe known in the course of its history and has always known how to overcome itself and move forward to finally find itself as if enlarged by the exchange between cultures”.
The Pope who met Greta, fuelling a ridiculous and anti-Western environmentalism.
The Pope who said that “I don’t feel like calling China anti-democratic”.
The Pope who called the migratory upheaval “alarmist propaganda”.
The Pope who, contrary to all the facts, said that “poverty fuels terrorism”.
The Pope who compared migrants in Europe to Jesus and the Jews that Herod was hunting.
The Pope who attacked politicians who defend the Christian roots of Europe.
The Pope who said that Europe has a “multicultural” identity.
The Pope who called the West “a civilization of barbed wire and slavery”.
The Pope who equated migrant centers to “concentration camps” (“lagers”). And this was the most serious lie.
Zionism is the Jewish National Independence Movement
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Food for Thought: by Steven Shamrak
The world leaders support the strong response from the Indian government to the terror attack committed by terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, which claimed the lives of at least 34 people. India blames Pakistan for support of terror attacks in Kashmir. In spite of the high tension that could even cause military conflict between two nuclear powers, world leaders expressed support for the strong response to the terror attack from the Indian government. At the same time, ‘THEY’, international Jew-hating hypocrites, condemn Israel for waging war against Hamas terrorists, who killed 1,200 people, and the population of Gazan, which cheered for this heinous act of terror!
Despite Hamas’s efforts to prevent it, since the war began, over 36 thousand people have left the Gaza Strip since the war began. Most left through the Rafah Crossing into Sinai. Approximately 2,000 of the emigrants left through Israeli territory, some via the Allenby Crossing on the Jordanian border and others via the Ramon Airport to other countries.
BBC Arabic Journalist Called to ‘Burn’ Jews
It was uncovered that Gazan journalist, Samer Elzaenen, who regularly contributes to BBC Arabic, was uploading anti-Semitic and anti-Israel content to social media as far back as 2011, including one in which he called to “burn the Jews as Hitler did.”
Israel allowed 650 Druze clerics from Syria to attend the Nabi Shu’ayb religious festival, reuniting families split for decades.
Syria to Join Abraham Accords?
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa expressed willingness in principle to join the Accords, if they take place under “the right conditions.” Those conditions would include the removal of economic sanctions on Syria, as well as a peace agreement between Syria and Israel. Al-Sharaa is open to addressing US concerns – chemical weapons left over from former regime must be destroyed, and Syria must coordinate on counterterror initiatives, including with US allies. Syria also needs to demonstrate how it plans to deal with foreign fighters in the country and provide appropriate assurances to Israel. (Will Jihadist ‘leopard’ change its ‘spots’?)
The ICC Case Against Israel Frozen
The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has frozen the institution’s case against Israel. The decision comes amid ongoing litigation into Israel’s assertion that the court did not have the legal authority to issue arrest warrants in November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant. Israel, which is not a member of the court and rejects its jurisdiction, strongly refutes the allegations. Despite a procedural victory for Israel, officials in Jerusalem condemn the fact that the court did not cancel the arrest warrants.
As Israel prepares to observe Memorial Day, Defense Ministry announces updated total of 25,417 military casualties since 1860; 5,229 civilians have been killed in acts of terrorism since 1851. In the past year alone, 79 additional civilians have died in terrorist attacks. Since the onset of the current war, 934 civilians have been killed, including 778 civilians in the October 7 massacre.
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas called on Hamas to release the hostages “in order to prevent Israel’s excuses,” calling Hamas terrorists “sons of dogs.” “Hamas must end its control in Gaza and hand its weapons over to the Palestinian Authority,” he concluded. (If not for the existence of the Jewish state, Hamas and Fatah terrorists would be killing each other.)
UNRWA not Immune from Lawsuits in the US
In a reversal of a previous stance, the US Department of Justice has said that the contentious UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, is not entitled to immunity from lawsuits in the United States. The opinion was submitted as part of an ongoing lawsuit in which the families of more than 100 victims of the October 7, 2023, the Hamas-led terror assault are claiming $1 billion in damages from UNRWA, asserting that the UN agency aided and abetted the terror group’s attack. (It is time to bankrupt and close this anti-Israel, terrorism supporting branch of the ‘Ugly Nazi”.)
Despite the Trump Administration’s assurances that Iran will never possess nuclear weapons and the optimism of US delegates at the Oman talks, Iran’s nuclear program exhibits concerning parallels with those of North Korea, India, Pakistan, and Israel, marked by a history of deception, but radically differing from them in its alarming rhetoric of genocidal threats against Israel. Continued negotiations are deemed futile! (Option-B: Israel and the US neutralise the Iranian nuclear program, and facilitate regime change in Iran. Iran. Iran is negotiating just to give themselves time to build nuclear weapons.)
Left-wing European Anti-Semites not Welcome
Israel’s government cancelled visas for 27 French left-wing lawmakers and local officials two days before they were to start a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories. Seventeen members of the group are from France’s Ecologist and Communist parties. The move comes days after Israel barred two UK Labour MPs from entering the country. It also came amidst diplomatic tensions after President Emmanuel Macron said France would soon recognise a Palestinian state.
Hamas Recruited 30,000 Gazans=Terrorists
The Saudi Al Arabiya channel reports that the military wing of Hamas, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, recruited 30,000 young people from Gaza. According to the report, most of the recruits were trained in secret military camps run by the wing. However, it is reported that they lack military skills beyond “guerrilla warfare,” rocket fire, and planting explosives. (They were trained well in UNRWA-run schools for this.)
Quotes of the Week:
“The only way peace happens in the Middle East is if the US stands strongly and steadfastly with Israel. A strong America prevents war. At the end of the day, it’s about leadership, and America has to demonstrate that leadership, including absolute support for its allies like Israel.” – Nikki Haley, former US Ambassador to the United Nations
Different Responce to Terror Attacks
In a rare move, Prime Minister Modi switched to English during a speech in Madhubani to convey a strong message against terrorism to a global audience.
I say to the whole world, India will identify, trace and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth. India’s spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished. Every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done. The entire nation is firm in this resolve,” said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his first and fierce reaction to the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. (Only Israeli leaders must be careful what that say or do. Otherwise, they are accused by international antic bigots of ‘genocidal’ intention.)
The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack that sent shockwaves across the country.
India announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.
World leaders condemn the Pahalgam terror attack; express solidarity with India.
Global leaders, including US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have denounced the brutal terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
“I condemn today’s heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed many innocent lives. Our deep condolences go to the victims, their families and the people of India. The EU stands firm against terrorism,” posted EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed heartfelt condolences and condemned the violence in strong terms. Macron, in particular, emphasized the indiscriminate nature of the attack, mourning the loss of lives from diverse backgrounds.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, along with Foreign Secretary David Lammy describing the incident as “utterly devastating”.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the attack “vile” and pledged that the European Union would stand firmly beside India during this painful time. (No such unconditional support for Israel’s fight against Hamas terrorists, who committed the heinous terror attack, killing 1,200 Jews.)
SINAI OPTION – the Road to Permanent Peace
Who are the Fake Palestinians?
Arab-Israel Conflict – Forgotten Facts
Read previous Editorials here.