A leading bishop in the Holy Land has accused America of treating the State of Israel “like a spoilt child” and has urged Israel to use its strength and power “to take courageous steps” for peace and justice.

Too bad, israel is more like The Bad Seed than 'a spoilt child.'

Archbishop Fouad Twal, the coadjutor to Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Michel Sabbah, was reacting to news that B’Tselem, an Israeli human rights group reported that 660 Palestinians were killed in 2006. This compares with 23 Israelis killed during the same period.

This means that there were three times more Palestinians killed in 2006 than 2005. In contrast, Israel reported less than half of the loss of life it reported in 2005. Fifty Israelis were killed in 2005.

Archbishop Twal, 66, told the Universe in a phone interview from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem: “We need peace, a peace which the world must use for the moment. If we have friends who think about us, we are grateful. We want them to be involved to put more stability and more justice in this country.

“For America, we know that America is very concerned about Israel. Israel is for America like a spoilt child.

“America loves Israel and Israel loves America. Congratulations!” continued the Archbishop, who was born in Jordan and served as a Vatican diplomat before becoming a bishop in Tunis and then being called to Jerusalem where he is expected to succeed Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Michel Sabbah in 2008

He said: “But a mother who loves her child must have the courage to say to that child ‘My son, this thing is not good for your health, for your future, for your well-being!’

“We expect the people of America, starting from the Bishops’ Conference to say to Israel, starting with love, not hate: ‘Please, for your future, try to use more reason, more of your heart, to respect the dignity of the persons’.

“We understand, and we are agreed with Israel to look for security. We want this. We wish this, but you cannot deny the dignity of the others, or the freedom of the others by reason of war to arrive at security.” Explained the Archbishop.

He emphasised that there cannot be security of one people “without all of us together having security: the assurance of life, of dignity, of work, of the future so that together we can have peace and live together and love each other.”

“But this cannot happen when we have security only on one side. I have said in the past that Israel is the strong one and has the duty to take courageous steps to work for justice. We wish peace for all people, Muslims, Jews and Christians.

“We know, you know that Israel is the strong one. We wish Israel to be always strong. With the power, with military, with its strength, it has won all the wars with us Arabs, everywhere. Despite all this now Israel wants its security and its peace.” Added Archbishop Twal.

He continued: “I think if Israel can think a little bit about international law, the dignity of the human person, respect the neighbours, avoid these walls, this stupid wall…

“If only Israel can give people the freedom to move about. Already Israel has given freedom to move over this Christmas season. We are very grateful for this. It was a very good gesture from the authorities of Israel.

“We could see our Christians from Galillee arrive to Bethlehem, for us and with us. We are very grateful, but if all the population is able to move about outside the wall without restriction, it would be wonderful.

“At the same time we see that something is moving in the area, both in America and in the Middle East. There is more movement for optimism and for justice. I think the message of peace for everybody could truly arrive to everybody: Jews, Muslims and Christians. This is our wish,” concluded the Archbishop.

Apparently, he doesn't know israelis too well.

They would sooner employ the Samson option than let their neighbors live in peace.

Submitted by qrswave on Wed, 2007-01-03 06:21

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