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Agence France Presse
December 20, 2012 Thursday 2:36 PM GMT
Jerusalem Latin patriarch 'dismayed' at holy site attacks
JERUSALEM, Dec 20 2012
The head of the Roman Catholic church in the Holy Land expressed
"dismay" on Friday at a wave of attacks on local Christian, Muslim and
Jewish religious sites over the past year.
In his Christmas message, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Fuad Twal,
noted "an increase in a certain religious radicalism," with church
data showing 25 acts of vandalism, arson and desecration of mosques,
churches, synagogues and cemeteries since December 21, 2011.
"I reiterate my dismay at the desecration of churches, convents,
synagogues and cemeteries that offends everyone," Twal said. "We must
take out the evil at its root by educating our youth in all schools."
The most recent attack was discovered on December 12, after vandals
sprayed anti-Christian graffiti on Jerusalem's Monastery of the Cross
and at an Armenian cemetery overnight, in an apparent hate crime by
Jewish extremists.
There have also been acts of arson and graffiti, including the
painting of Nazi swastikas at synagogues, allegedly perpetrated by
Muslims.
Repeated incidents of arson and anti-Islamic graffiti against mosques
have been linked to the "price tag" campaign of Israeli extremists
opposed to state moves to dismantle unauthorised settler outposts.
Of late they have become increasingly unrelated to any specific
government measures.
Twal said that he had been "shaken" by last month's eight-day battle
between Israeli forces and Gaza militants. About 170 Palestinians
died, more than half of them civilians, as did six Israelis, four
civilians and two soldiers.
He condemned continued Israeli limitations on the movement of goods
and people in and out of the coastal strip.
"I went to Gaza on December 16," he said. "I denounce the severe
restrictions that dehumanise the daily lives of 1.6 million people,
that generate feelings of hatred and hostility towards Israel."
The patriarch also made mention of the conflict in Syria, which
activists say has killed more than 43,000 people in 21 months.
"The joy of Christmas is overshadowed by the staggering violence in
Syria," he said. "We are full of compassion for the victims."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
December 20, 2012 Thursday 2:36 PM GMT
Jerusalem Latin patriarch 'dismayed' at holy site attacks
JERUSALEM, Dec 20 2012
The head of the Roman Catholic church in the Holy Land expressed
"dismay" on Friday at a wave of attacks on local Christian, Muslim and
Jewish religious sites over the past year.
In his Christmas message, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Fuad Twal,
noted "an increase in a certain religious radicalism," with church
data showing 25 acts of vandalism, arson and desecration of mosques,
churches, synagogues and cemeteries since December 21, 2011.
"I reiterate my dismay at the desecration of churches, convents,
synagogues and cemeteries that offends everyone," Twal said. "We must
take out the evil at its root by educating our youth in all schools."
The most recent attack was discovered on December 12, after vandals
sprayed anti-Christian graffiti on Jerusalem's Monastery of the Cross
and at an Armenian cemetery overnight, in an apparent hate crime by
Jewish extremists.
There have also been acts of arson and graffiti, including the
painting of Nazi swastikas at synagogues, allegedly perpetrated by
Muslims.
Repeated incidents of arson and anti-Islamic graffiti against mosques
have been linked to the "price tag" campaign of Israeli extremists
opposed to state moves to dismantle unauthorised settler outposts.
Of late they have become increasingly unrelated to any specific
government measures.
Twal said that he had been "shaken" by last month's eight-day battle
between Israeli forces and Gaza militants. About 170 Palestinians
died, more than half of them civilians, as did six Israelis, four
civilians and two soldiers.
He condemned continued Israeli limitations on the movement of goods
and people in and out of the coastal strip.
"I went to Gaza on December 16," he said. "I denounce the severe
restrictions that dehumanise the daily lives of 1.6 million people,
that generate feelings of hatred and hostility towards Israel."
The patriarch also made mention of the conflict in Syria, which
activists say has killed more than 43,000 people in 21 months.
"The joy of Christmas is overshadowed by the staggering violence in
Syria," he said. "We are full of compassion for the victims."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress