Pope calls for ‘sovereign Palestinian homeland’

[Le Libérer]

The irony of this happening nearly caused me to fall out of my chair as I read this. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30694963/)

BETHLEHEM, West Bank - Standing in the cradle of Christianity, Pope Benedict XVI told Palestinians on Wednesday that he understands their suffering and offered his strongest public backing yet for an independent Palestinian state.

"Mr. President, the Holy See supports the right of your people to a sovereign Palestinian homeland in the land of your forefathers, secure and at peace with its neighbors, within internationally recognized borders," the pontiff said upon his arrival, standing alongside Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.


The pope also called for a Palestinian homeland when he arrived in Israel on Monday for the five-day visit. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was in the audience, says Palestinians are not ready to rule themselves and he has resisted international pressure to endorse the idea of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

Message of solidarity
In Bethlehem, Benedict delivered a special message of solidarity to the 1.4 million Palestinians isolated in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. He has no plans to visit Gaza.

[STJ]

That is fucking amazing. It means the world will end tom.

[Yehuda Stern]

Why is everyone so excited? The Pope didn't express anything more radical than all bourgeois leaders in Europe and the USA have for the last two decades - support in words for a Palestinian state, and support in practice to Zionism. There's nothing new or interesting here.

[Revy]

The Pope is irrelevant, and he brings nothing original with this. The two-state solution is as old as the occupation itself. Trillions of handshakes and "peace deals" later, Israel is still bombing and walling in Palestinians.

The Pope has his own interests, he is a religious figure after all. I think he may want to transfer the headquarters of the Church to Jerusalem, and take the Christian parts of the Old City under his sovereignty. He doesn't care about peace or other religions.

[OneNamedNameLess]

The Pope is irrelevant, and he brings nothing original with this. The two-state solution is as old as the occupation itself. Trillions of handshakes and "peace deals" later, Israel is still bombing and walling in Palestinians.

The Pope has his own interests, he is a religious figure after all. I think he may want to transfer the headquarters of the Church to Jerusalem, and take the Christian parts of the Old City under his sovereignty. He doesn't care about peace or other religions.


True, but he is not irrelevant. Catholicism is the fastest growing religion in the world. Millions of Catholics ignorantly listen to his message even today. As a result, people may take an interest in the Palestinian cause and support it. I'm just making an attempt to pluck something positive out of this.

[reddevil]

i don't see what's so surprising about this. christian zionism has never really been advocated by catholics but usually hardline evangelical protestants

[progressive_lefty]

Catholicism is the fastest growing religion in the world.

I have never ever heard that Catholicism is the fastest growing religion in the world. I am sure it is either Islam or pentecostal Christianity.

[OneNamedNameLess]

I have never ever heard that Catholicism is the fastest growing religion in the world. I am sure it is either Islam or pentecostal Christianity.

It is the most dominant religion in many countries with the highest birth rates.

[Sam_b]

It is the most dominant religion in many countries with the highest birth rates.

I wonder why those birth rates are so high. Oh, is it because these are predominately Catholic countries where contraception is frowned upon?

[Sean]

Yup. They got a good think going.