Shameful indeed. And it just highlights the hypocrisy and depravity of Trump's Neocon foreign policy. If concerns for "human suffering" were really driving our foreign policy, we would not be supporting these ongoing Saudi war crimes against Yemen. Likewise, we would have long ago removed the sanctions on Venezuela and stopped support for the Freemason imposter Guaido, which are the overriding causes of the current suffering there. But anyone who is paying attention knows - from the words of Trump's own Neocon advisors - why we are really trying to topple Venezuela and why we are supporting the Saudi butchers - and it has nothing to do with "easing human suffering" or "America First." It has everything to do with pursuing and expanding the Neocon agenda - an agenda that those of us who supported Trump thought we were defeating when we voted for him. Turns out we were deceived.
It's heating up quickly imho. Iran labels all US troops in the Middle East “terrorists” It’s a response to America’s similar designation of Iranian troops the day before. By Alex Ward@AlexWardVox alex.ward@vox.com Apr 16, 2019, 3:10pm EDT | https://www.vox.com/2019/4/16/18410646/iran-usa-terrorist-middle-east-irgc A picture taken on December 30, 2018, shows a US soldier riding an armored personnel carrier as a line of US military vehicles patrol Syria’s northern city of Manbij. Delil Souleiman/AFP/Getty Images On Monday, the Trump administration followed through on its promise to formally label a segment of Iran’s military forces “terrorists.” Today, Tehran fired back with its own provocative move: It now considers all US troops in the Middle East to be terrorists too. Iranian lawmakers overwhelmingly approved the measure after the country’s defense minister introduced a bill on the issue, according to Iranian state TV. Some politicians wanted to name the entirety of the US Army — not just forces deployed in the region — as terrorists, meaning Iran’s reaction actually could’ve been worse. This was the likely next step after a move President Donald Trump made last week. He announced on April 8 that he would label the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) — Iran’s hugely influential security and military organization that’s responsible for the protection and survival of the regime — a “foreign terrorist organization.” He followed through on that promise on Monday, making it the first time the United States had ever designated part of a foreign government in this way. The IRGC isn’t just any military organization. It has its hands deep in Iran’s economy, domestic politics, and foreign policy, aiding regimes and funding proxy groups in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and elsewhere in the Middle East. It views itself as the only organization in Iran that can truly defend the country’s Islamic system of governance, some experts say. It’s therefore no surprise that Iran would bristle at Trump’s move and that it would want to retaliate. The problem is that it’s unclear what either country’s new label for each other’s forces really means. For example, the United States already designates Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism, so the new IRGC designation changes very little. Plus, the US already has substantial sanctions on Iran and individual members of the IRGC. No one really knows if the terrorist designation will add enough pressure to really make much of a difference, especially because few actually do business with the group now. And Iran has already attacked and killed scores of American troops in the Middle East, so there’s not much more it could do to devastate the US military. That means these moves amount to a highly escalated war of words. The hope is that the rising tensions don’t turn into an actual war down the line. *** PA foreign minister: Abbas ready to meet Netanyahu if Russia plays host Riyad al-Malki tells Russian news outlet Palestinians will reject any peace proposal that ‘does not acknowledge the State of Palestine’s independence’ By Adam Rasgon 16 April 2019, 12:24 pm | https://www.timesofisrael.com/pa-fo...ready-to-meet-netanyahu-if-russia-plays-host/ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Jerusalem, September 15, 2010. (Kobi Gideon/Flash90) Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is prepared to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if Russia hosts the gathering, PA Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki told Sputnik, a Russian state-run news site. Palestinian officials have said that Abbas agreed to accept a Russian suggestion to meet Netanyahu in Moscow last year, but the prime minister turned it down. The last known encounter between Abbas and Netanyahu was at the funeral of former prime minister Shimon Peres in September 2016, where the two briefly exchanged pleasantries. The last known time Abbas and Netanyahu met formally for negotiations was in September 2010 in Jerusalem. “Abbas is ready to meet Netanyahu without preconditions, if Moscow hosts this meeting,” PA Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki said in an interview with Sputnik published on Tuesday. Malki met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Monday. Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a state-of-the-nation address in Moscow, Russia, February 20, 2019. (Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP) Abbas has previously demanded that Israel freeze settlement construction as a precondition to the resumption of negotiations between the Jewish state and the Palestinians. Asked whether Netanyahu would be willing to meet Abbas in Moscow, a spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office did not immediately respond. Malki added that the Palestinians will reject any proposal to resolve the conflict “that does not acknowledge the State of Palestine’s independence.” US President Donald Trump’s administration has said it intends to release a plan to resolve the conflict, but has not publicized the date it plans to do so. While Trump has said he thinks the two-state solution, including the creation of a Palestinian state, “works best,” he has not committed to it. The Washington Post reported on Monday that while the US administration’s apparently forthcoming plan “promises practical improvements in the lives of Palestinians,” it “is likely to stop short of ensuring a separate, fully sovereign Palestinians state,” citing people knowledgeable of its “main elements.” The PA foreign minister also said that Abbas may visit Moscow in the next two to three months. Abbas last visited Moscow in July 2018, when he met Russian President Vladimir Putin and attended the World Cup. *** If anyone has any more insight about the following I am very interested in hearing it but I have heard and read from multiple places that scripture states that the nations that split up Israel will be punished by God. In addition, I have also heard and read that the official breaking up of Israel will truly bring on the end times. Since it appeared that Obama and the Democrats appeared to be in favor of a two-state solution, I have wondered if the election of President Trump was allowing more time before the end by possibly not encouraging a two-state solution. No one is certain what the future US proposed peace agreement is going to suggest but now I fear that Russia will, in fact, hasten the end. I also feel that we are witnessing God's plan but we have also been told to pray and that our prayers can have an effect on these things. Well, here is a link to a site that I am not at all familiar with but I found this on a quick search and it helps explain a little bit of what I am referring to. https://flashtrafficblog.wordpress....israel-understanding-the-book-of-joel-part-5/ Thanks in advance. I also wonder if this news about Russia getting involved in ME peace proposal would prompt Pope Francis to go to Moscow. And if Abbas is planning to go to Moscow in the next two to three months as the above Times of Israel article states, the pope may make a trip there soon.
Read Luke 20 9-19. In the very beginning of the parable Jesus tells us that a man planted a vineyard and let it out. It is important to understand. He didn't give it to them. He leased it to them so long as they should be productive, honor, and abide him. Instead, they beat and cast out those who he sent (the prophets), then killed his son in the hope of stealing His inheritance. Then the lord of the vineyard said: What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be, when they see him, they will reverence him. [14] Whom when the husbandmen saw, they thought within themselves, saying: This is the heir, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. [15] So casting him out of the vineyard, they killed him. What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do to them? [16] He will come, and will destroy these husbandmen, and will give the vineyard to others. Which they hearing, said to him: God forbid. [17] But he looking on them, said: What is this then that is written, The stone, which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? [18] Whosoever shall fall upon that stone, shall be bruised: and upon whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. Here is the Haydok commentary on these verses. Who has cast Jesus out more so than the Jews and the so called modern day Israel in their words and deeds toward their neighbor? Ver. 9. A long time. Not that God (who is here represented by the man that planted a vineyard) confines himself to any particular place, either distant or near; but he only seems to absent himself in order that when he comes to receive the fruit of the vineyard, he may punish the negligent more severely, and reward the diligent with greater liberality. Likewise God is more intimately present with the good, by continually showering down upon them his special graces; and less so with the wicked, by refusing them, on account of their indispositions, any of his favours. S. Ambrose. Ver. 15. As this whole parable may be applied exactly to the Jews, to the prophets and Christ; so may this last part, with no less accuracy, be applied to our Saviour. The husbandmen, before they killed the lord's beloved son, first cast him out of the vineyard. So the Jews did not kill the Son of God immediately themselves: they first cast him out from themselves, into the hands of Pilate, a Gentile, and then procured his death. Theophylactus. — Thus sinners likewise act, by casting Christ out of their hearts, and crucifying him by sin. Ven. Bede. — To reconcile S. Matt. and S. Luke, we must observe, says S. Austin, that this parable was not only spoken to those who questioned his authority, but to the people themselves; as S. Luke tells us. Ver. 18. Fall upon. That is, whosoever sins against God, yet believes, will be spared by God for a short time to repent, though he kills his own soul by mortal sin: but, upon whomsoever it shall fall, that is, he who denies Christ, and continues on hardened in his sin, upon him the fury of God shall fall, and he shall be utterly destroyed. It will grind him to powder, like the dust which the wind driveth from the face of the earth. Psal. i. Ven. Bede. Ver. 19. Lay hands on him. Thus they themselves proved him to be the Lord's beloved Son, as he had just described himself in the preceding parable. Ven. Bede.
But not all of them killed His Son, some followed Him. Do you think that if Israel's enemies gained control of this land that they will let Christians including Catholics worship Our Lord in Jerusalem and other places in what is now considered Israel? I think some will say that they would but ultimately that wouldn't happen.
Don, I still would appreciate an answer to my question to you in my post above. TY. In addition, I don't see how the scripture that you have provided proves beyond a doubt that God does not want Israel to be split up. *** Edited to add: Because of your recent discussion about the third temple and the Sanhedrin and your post above. I want to point out that Saint Joseph of Arimathea a member of the Sanhedrin and Saint Nicodemus who was considered to be a friend of the Sanhedrin did not condemn Our Lord. The following is from NewAdvent in relation to Saint Joesph of Arimathea: He was a disciple of Jesus, probably ever since Christ's first preaching in Judea (John 2:23), but he did not declare himself as such "for fear of the Jews" (John 19:38). On account of this secret allegiance to Jesus, he did not consent to His condemnation by the Sanhedrin (Luke 23:51), and was most likely absent from the meeting which sentenced Jesus to death (cf. Mark 14:64). The following is from NewAdvent in relation to Saint Nicodemus: He next appears (John 7:50-51) in the Sanhedrim offering a word in defence of the accused Galilean; and we may infer from this passage that he embraced the truth as soon as it was fully made known to him. He is mentioned finally in John 19:39, where he is shown co-operating with Joseph of Arimathea in the embalming and burial of Jesus. We know that Saint Joseph of Arimathea offered his tomb for Jesus' burial and both he and Nicodemus laid Jesus in the burial cloth which is now called the Shroud of Turin. I simply believe that it is very possible that God does not want Israel split up. Currently, Jews and Christians live alongside each other there peacefully, truly peacefully.
Yes some did and by doing so they became followers of Jesus which no doubt they were persecuted for. Muslims have been in official control of the most important holy sites to Christians in Jerusalem for hundreds of years. Their officials have graciously recognized the importance of these sites for Christians to come to worship and pray there. IMO Christians, Muslims and Jews only live in Israel at all so long as Christians and Muslims remain silent and powerless and most importantly do not openly criticize the actions of Israel. According to the man who came from Jerusalem who spoke to our Parish at Christmas (fundraising) they don't live in real peace and the number of Christians is ever declining and stands now at roughly 16k.
Don, Muslims own which of the most important sites to Christians in Jersualem? I think that this is may have been prior to the 19th century, maybe even prior to the 11th century. I pray for the day that there is peace in the world and I realize that there is a certain amount of unrest and uncertainty for all those who live in Israel but this is the case for all of us now mainly because a few ruin the peace for the many and those few are of all races, religions and creeds. I don't believe that any nation is perfect but I still believe that if Israel was not the nation that it is today that the various Christian churches and other sacred sites of Christianity would be displaced by mosques, I could be wrong about this but from what we are witnessing in the last 70 years or so this has become more common. https://catholicexchange.com/symbolizing-victory-islamic-conquerors-erect-mosques-over-sacred-sites I want to mention that I just watched a lovely show on EWTN about the Holy Land. I DVR'd it so I can watch it over and over again. It is available on DVD for those who may be interested in it but I am certain that EWTN will show it again sometime in the future. Here is the information on it for those who may be interested in it. http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/shop.axd/ProductDetails?edp_no=32835 I think that the program is very well done. Imho Our Lord has left us important artifacts and relics from his time on Earth for a reason and they should be cherished although they are not the most important thing in regards to the Faith.
Hi Carol, I posted Bishop Athanasius Schneider's comments on the Notre Dame fire on that thread, but I think it's worth taking noting here albeit a bit circuitously. He states that God's covenant with the Jews was temporary lasting until Jesus came and replaced it with the eternal covenant. God no longer has a covenant with the Jews, therefore, they have no divine right to the land that is now Israel. Furthermore, Bishop Schnieder goes on to state that we should be trying to convert the Jews and that not to work toward this goal is cowardice. He discusses this within the context of anti-Christians and Free Masons being in complete control of French politics and media and possibly being responsible for the fire. Why would he talk about converting Jews in this context unless they were part of this anti-Christian, Freemason cabal? That's not to say that all Jews or even the majority are bad people. That would be like saying that all white men are bad. However, they do not believe in Jesus and should be converted. Anyway, here are Bishop Schneider's words: The lightning vehemence with which fire engulfed the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris left one with the impression that an unexpected event had come like a bolt from out of the blue. And yet, viewed as a phenomenon, this tragedy came after a series of hundreds of systematic arson attacks on various sacred objects belonging to the Catholic Church in France over the last year. It is also significant that the fire in Notre Dame occurred at the beginning of Holy Week, which is the heart of the liturgical year for all Catholics. As the facts in the case are still unknown, we have no evidence on which to base allegations of a plot to destroy the cathedral. Yet one is left with a queasy feeling inside, especially as one considers the chain of systematic anti-Catholic events, marginalization, discrimination and ridicule which the Catholic Faith has undergone at the hands of the French political establishment and French media landscape, both of which are firmly in the hands of the current anti-Christian and Free Masonic powers in France. Notre Dame is not only the most symbolic cultural and religious sign for the Catholic Church in France. Given that France bears the title “eldest daughter of the Church,” her main cathedral also has deep cultural and religious significance for the entire Catholic world. The destruction of a visible sign of such vast proportion as the Cathedral Notre Dame in Paris also contains an unmistakable spiritual message. The fire of Notre Dame is without doubt a powerful and stirring sign which God is giving to His Church in our day. It is a cri de coeurfor authentic conversion, first and foremost among the Shepherds of the Church. The fire has largely destroyed Notre Dame, a centuries-old masterpiece of the Catholic Faith. This is a symbolic and highly evocative representation of what has happened in the life of the Church over the last fifty years, as people have witnessed a conflagration of the Church’s most precious spiritual masterpieces, i.e., the integrity and beauty of the Catholic Faith, the Catholic liturgy and Catholic moral life, especially among priests. The climax of this decades-long spiritual conflagration has manifested itself in the clerical sexual abuse scandals which have profoundly shaken the entire Church. Sadly, we must say that the handling of the clerical sexual abuse scandal has remained more or less on the level of emotional dismay. The true roots of this crisis have not been transparently disclosed, nor, consequently, have effective spiritual medicine and peremptory canonical norms been applied. In a recent and detailed essay, the former Pope Benedict XVI identified one of the most important roots of the abuse crisis, i.e. the loss of the true Faith, the prevalence of moral relativism, and the heterodox and unspiritual formation of seminarians. In reactions to the statement of the former Pope Benedict XVI one could observe an embarrassed silence — and even some indignant outcries — rumbling throughout the ranks of the establishment of liberal theologians and liberal clergy, who are the true spiritual arsonistsin the Church today. They now consider the former Pope Benedict XVI to be a troublemaker whose blunt observations obstruct their incendiary work. If the Shepherds of the Church will not recognize in the Notre Dame conflagration a Divine warning, they will be behaving like the people in Salvation History who did not recognize the warnings that God often gave them through the uncomfortable and unabashed words of the prophets, through natural catastrophes and various events. The tragedy of Notre Dame spontaneously brought to my mind the following words of Our Lord: “Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Lk 13: 4-5) The tragic conflagration of the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris is also a propitious occasion for all members of the Church to do penance for the acts of betrayal that have been committed against Christ and His Divine teachings in the life of the Church over the past fifty years. Penance and reparation must be made, especially for the betrayal of the command of God the Father that all mankind should believe in His Divine Son, the only Savior of mankind. For God wills positively only the one and unique religion which believes that His Incarnated Son is God and the only Savior of mankind. Penance and reparation must also be made for the betrayal of Christ’s explicit command to evangelize all nations without exception, first among them the Jewish people. For it was to them that Christ first sent His Apostles, to bring them to faith in Him and to the New and Everlasting Covenant for which the Old and temporary Covenant was established. If the Shepherds of the Church refuse to do penance for the spiritual conflagration of the past fifty years, and for the betrayal of Christ’s universal command to evangelize, should we then not fear that God might send another and more shocking sign, like a devastating conflagration or earthquake that would destroy St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome? God will not indefinitely and shamelessly be mocked by so many Shepherds of the Church of our own day, through their betrayal of the Faith, their sycophantic serving of the world and their neo-pagan worship of temporal and earthly realities. To them as well are addressed these words of Christ, “I tell you, unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Lk 13: 5) May the fire at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, however sad and deplorable it is, rekindle — especially in the Shepherds of the Church — a love and zeal for the true Catholic Faith and for the ardent evangelization of all those who do not yet believe in Christ. And may they be mindful not to marginalize and cowardly exclude the Jewish and Muslim people from this outstanding form of charity. May the fire at Notre Dame also serve as a means to inflame in the Shepherds of the Church a spirit of true repentance, so that God might grant to all the grace of a renewal in the true Faith and in true love for Christ, Our Lord, Our God and Our Savior. When the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris began to burn, there was a group of faithful, with children and young people among them, who knelt on the ground and sang the Hail Mary. This was one of the most touching and spiritually powerful signs in the midst of a great tragedy. May Our Lady, Help of Christians, intercede for us, that the Shepherds of the Church might begin, with the help of the lay faithful, to rebuild the spiritual ruins in the life of the Church in our day. In the Church, as in Paris, a process of repairing and rebuilding is a sign of hope. April 17, 2019 + Athanasius Schneider, Auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Saint Mary in Astana
Hi Sunnyveil, From what you have written here, I am certain that you do not understand what I have stated. I agree with Bishop Schneider, in fact, I posted this letter on MOG. What I am stating is that I think that it is very possible that God may not want the land of Israel to be split up. In addition, I don't believe that the country of Israel should be treated any better or any worse than any other nation in the world, iow, they should be treated accordingly to their actions but Israel is theirs now, they fought for it and they won it, period amen. We know from our Catechism that before Christ comes again in glory, the Jews will convert after the Gentiles convert but as Bishop Schneider has stated we can and should encourage non-believers to convert. 674 The glorious Messiah's coming is suspended at every moment of history until his recognition by "all Israel," for "a hardening has come upon part of Israel" in their "unbelief" toward Jesus. St. Peter says to the Jews of Jerusalem after Pentecost: "Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for establishing all that God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old." St. Paul echoes him: "For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?" The "full inclusion" of the Jews in the Messiah's salvation, in the wake of "the full number of the Gentiles," will enable the People of God to achieve "the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ," in which "God may be all in all." https://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/catechism.htm
They hold the keys to the Holy Sepulcher and have authority over many sites if not all the holy sites in Jerusalem. The King of Jordon has held authority over the Holy sites in Jerusalem since before the nation of Israel was re established. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hashemite_custodianship_of_Jerusalem_holy_sites
Don, You used the word "own" in your original post on this subject. Muslims do not own the most important sites to Christians in Jerusalem. What you have stated and shown above is not Muslim ownership of the most important sites to Christians in Jerusalem. The following is from Wikipedia in regard to who owns the Church of the Holy Sepulchre: Today, the wider complex accumulated during the centuries around the Church of the Holy Sepulchre also serves as the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, while control of the church itself is shared among several Christian denominations and secular entities in complicated arrangements essentially unchanged for over 160 years, and some for much longer. The main denominations sharing property over parts of the church are the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic, and to a lesser degree the Coptic Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox and Ethiopian Orthodox. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Holy_Sepulchre
https://en.mehrnews.com/news/144289/Intelligence-Ministry-identifies-CIA-network-in-Iran-region Intelligence Ministry identifies CIA network in Iran, region “In a complicated process against the US Central Intelligence Agency, its espionage network was identified with 290 spies in different countries, including Iran,” he said, adding that the information was offered to friend countries which led to arrest of CIA agents. He made the remarks before the start of Tehran’s Friday prayers while briefing the nation about achievements of Intelligence Ministry. The forces have also given a similar blow to UK's MI6, he highlighted, noting that details of both these operations will be announced soon. Alavi went on to say that dozens of spies who had been working in the country’s sensitive sections have been identified and arrested. In the past [Iranian calendar] year 1397 (March 2018-March 2019), intelligence forces have dismantled 114 Takfiri terrorist teams, 116 circles related to MKO, 44 anti-Revolution teams, and 380 drug smuggling bands, he added. Furthermore, the ministry has neutralized 188 operations, he noted, adding that the last of which was carried out in the south of the country, leading to the arrest of 4 individuals and seizing 15,000 Ak47 bullets. MNA/4594924 News Code 144289
https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/126700/kushner-middle-east-peace-plan-june/ Kushner: No Middle East Peace Plan Till Early June By JNS April 18, 2019 , 11:07 am White House senior adviser Jared Kushner reportedly told a group of ambassadors on Wednesday that the highly anticipated Mideast peace plan for the Israelis and Palestinians will be released after Israel forms a new government and after the Islamic holiday of Ramadan, which starts on May 5 and concludes on June 4. The proposal has been kept a closely guarded secret and, according to The Washington Post on Sunday, will “stop short of ensuring a separate, fully sovereign Palestinians state.” The Trump administration held a closed-door meeting with more than 70 Jewish and pro-Israel leaders at the White House on Tuesday that included talk about the peace plan, though no specifics were revealed, according to an attendee at the meeting. “I know a lot of people are concerned that the peace plan is going to be coming out soon,” said Dermer, reported Jewish Insider. “But I have to say, as Israel’s ambassador, I am confident that this administration—given its support for Israel—will take Israel’s vital concerns into account in any plan they will put forward.” “I will never blame any American president or secretary of state or envoy for the failure to achieve peace—anyone who does that doesn’t understand why we don’t have peace. The Palestinians have to cross the Rubicon. It’s going to be up to them,” he added. “But what you can be is better or worse, facilitators to get them to that point. And I could not think of better facilitators, with better relations both with Israel and the Arab world, to take advantage of this historic opportunity. I know that you all join me in wishing the best for the initiative that will come in the weeks and months ahead,” said Dermer.
I am no expert on exactly what God thinks of Israel. I know he was absolutely opposed to the Jewish temple being rebuilt in the 300 or 400's AD. I do find it interesting that Bishop Schneider's solution to church destruction, like Notre Dame, focuses primarily on internal reform followed by conversion of Jews (and Muslims secondarily). He implies that the Church has acted cowardly in this mission. The idea that the land of Israel is a divine right of the Jews comes mainly from Protestants.. Also, isn't the Catholic Church the new Israel? As Bishop Schneider states the old covenant was temporary. As far as conversion, isn't it the Jews themselves that will be converted and not necessarily the land of Israel? I think we've been deeply propagandized regarding Israel. My first clue was Scott Hahn mentioning how unfairly Palistineans have been treated. Those Bethlehem wood sellers in Church narthexes really do not like Israel but can't say anything. There is a great controlling influence of our politics and media by Jews in our country as in France. Bishop Schneider referred to this as anti-Christian and Freemason. Freemasonry is largely controlled by Jews. It was a big red pill for me to swallow. If God is willing Israel to be, it certainly isn't as an atheistic super power that is wreakking havoc in the mid-East: think Iraq, Syria, the Arab Spring, etc. .Why don't we hear about things like this: This article is more than 1 month old UN says Israel's killings at Gaza protests may amount to war crimes This article is more than 1 month old Inquiry accuses army of killing demonstrators ‘who were not posing an imminent threat’ Oliver Holmes in Jerusalem Thu 28 Feb 2019 06.37 ESTLast modified on Thu 28 Feb 2019 15.45 EST Shares 12,499 Israeli troops fire teargas at Palestinians protesting near the Gaza border fence. Photograph: Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters UN investigators have accused Israeli soldiers of intentionally firing on civilians and said they may have committed war crimes in their lethal response to Palestinian demonstrations in Gaza. The independent Commission of Inquiry, set up last year by the UN’s human rights council, said Israeli forces killed 189 people and shot more than 6,100 others with live ammunition near the fence that divides the two territories. The panel said in a statement that it had found “reasonable grounds to believe that Israeli snipers shot at journalists, health workers, children and persons with disabilities, knowing they were clearly recognisable as such”. Thirty-five of those killed were children, three were clearly identifiable paramedics and two were clearly marked journalists, the report said. Israel dismissed the report as “hostile, mendacious and slanted”. The panel acknowledged “acts of significant violence” from the demonstrators, who threw stones, molotov cocktails and in several cases explosives at the fence and Israeli troops behind it. It made clear, however, that such actions did not amount to combat or military campaigns, rejecting an Israeli claim of “terror activities” by Palestinian armed groups. “The demonstrations were civilian in nature, with clearly stated political aims,” it said. Investigators also said there were reasonable grounds to believe that Israeli troops had killed and injured Palestinians “who were neither directly participating in hostilities, nor posing an imminent threat.” They said: “These serious human rights and humanitarian law violations may constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity.”
