Some Christians from whom I’ve been hearing lately hate Jews and Israel so much that they’re eager to believe claims of this kind, however unsubstantiated they may be. Why would the Latin Patriarchate put out a false and inflammatory story of this kind? So as to make its allegiance clear in an atmosphere in which Christians are automatically assumed to be pro-Western and in league with the U.S. and its allies, and because of the Arab nationalist idea that Christians and Muslims are Arabs together with the same interests and same foes. Add in the centuries of reinforcement of the dhimmi attitude that the subjugated population must affirm the perspectives of the Muslim majority, or else, and you get this.
“IDF refutes claim it targeted sole Catholic church in Gaza after 2 women said killed,” Times of Israel, December 18, 2023:
The Israel Defense Forces refuted on Sunday a claim that it had targeted a Catholic parish in the Gaza Strip, after the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem asserted that an elderly Christian woman and her daughter had been shot and killed by an Israeli sniper on the grounds of the Holy Family Parish on Saturday.
Stressing that the IDF “does not target civilians, no matter their religion,” the army told AFP that it had on Saturday been contacted by church representatives about an incident in the Holy Family Parish, but “no reports of a hit on the church, nor civilians being injured or killed, were raised.”
“A review of the IDF’s operational findings support this,” it added. “The IDF takes claims regarding harm to sensitive sites with the utmost seriousness — especially churches — considering that Christian communities are a minority group in the Middle East.”
Pope Francis on Sunday reacted to the alleged attack, in which he said “unarmed civilians” were targeted by shootings and bombings.
“I continue receiving very serious and sad news about Gaza,” the pope said at the end of the Angelus prayer. “A mother and her daughter… were killed and other people were wounded by the shooters.
“This has happened even within the parish complex of the Holy Family, where there are no terrorists, but families, children, people who are sick and have disabilities,” the pope added.
“Some are saying ‘this is terrorism and war,’” the pontiff said. “Yes, it is war, it is terrorism… let us pray to the Lord for peace,” he added.
Saturday’s statement from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa said: “Around noon today… a sniper of the IDF murdered two Christian women inside the Holy Family Parish in Gaza.”…
Hoi Polloi says
“I continue receiving very serious and sad news about Gaza,” the pope said. I however, refuse to acknowledge any news of Christians slaughtered by muslims and I refuse to defend those Christians, he should have added.
somehistory says
Because he is not on the side of Truth. He doesn’t care one bit about Christians being slaughtered by mozlums….anywhere. He is on the side of evil and his words and actions have proven this these past ten years.
Hoi Polloi says
True.
Bexarkat says
It’s not the first time church leaders have worked against the best interests of Israel. Long before the internet, which inhibited my search for details, I recall someone in that position or a position equal to the prelate, was caught by Israel smuggling weapons into Israel, from Lebanon, for use by terrorists. There are those in the church that still support that concept of ‘replacement theology.’
Devasur says
Similar fake news is spread by church in India about Hindus while turning a blind eye to islamic persecution of Christians.
puzzled says
Any Christians killed in africa by the allhahaha Nakba “dirt age” religion of sharia?
Just asking.
somehistory says
I have seen this*story* headlines several times over the past few days. “Christians killed by Israeli soldiers in a church in Gaza”….”mother and daughter,”..etc.
I didn’t read the stories. But I also didn’t put stock in the headlines.
For one thing, the Gaza strip is still chock full of mozlums….members of hamas and supporters of hamas…and members of other groups and supporters of terror.
Any “sniping” by the IDF will be targeting those who murdered innocent civilians in Israel. If they shot any Christians in the churches, they would own up to it being in error.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, deep in the jungle of lies, the mozlums have many *reasons* to murder Christians. They hate Christians, and they could use the deaths to put extra blame and pressure on Israel.
It’s always a good idea, when hearing anything from mozlums, to take it with a whole pallet of salt.
Keith O says
Pretty much my thoughts on the matter as well.