[guyabano]

Gaza's Christians fear for their lives

Christians living in Gaza City on Monday appealed to the international community to protect them against increased attacks by Muslim extremists. Many Christians said they were prepared to leave the Gaza Strip as soon as the border crossings are reopened.

The appeal came following a series of attacks on a Christian school and church in Gaza City over the past few days.

Father Manuel Musalam, leader of the small Latin community in the Gaza Strip, said masked gunmen torched and looted the Rosary Sisters School and the Latin Church.

"The masked gunmen used rocket-propelled grenades to storm the main entrances of the school and church," he said. "Then they destroyed almost everything inside, including the Cross, the Holy Book, computers and other equipment."

Musalam expressed outrage over the burning of copies of the Bible, noting that the gunmen destroyed all the Crosses inside the church and school. "Those who did these awful things have no respect for Christian-Muslim relations," he said.

He estimated damages at more than $500,000. "Those who see the destruction will realize how bad this attack was," he said. "Christians have been living in peace and security with Muslims for many years, but those who attacked us are trying to sabotage this relationship."

He said Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas phoned him on Sunday night to express his strong condemnation for the attack. "President Abbas promised that he would do his utmost to prevent such attacks on Christians here," he said.

Fatah officials blamed Hamas militiamen for the attack on the church and school. However, Islam Shahwan, spokesman for Hamas's Executive Force in the Gaza Strip, denied responsibility.

He nevertheless admitted that a large group of Hamas militiamen had been near the area during the attack. "We have instructed all our men to withdraw from the area," he said. "We will punish anyone who targets churches and public institutions."

Source

 

[guyabano]

bump !

Sorry, mods, I found this thread approved today, but already few pages ago !

 

[thirdwatch512]

It should be an established fact that hamas is terrorist. They terrorize their own Christians who are just as palestinian as the muslims!

Did you know palestine used to be 25% Christian? Now though, they are either in Israel, or here in America, syria, or lebanon. Why? Because of the torture that hamas gives to them.

Goodness, sometimes it seems like the shia does a better job at treating the Christians better then the sunni. At least al sadr went and visited Christians in iraq and gave them aide!

In 1994 in Argentina 250 Jews were killed for no reason. Not a single one of them was from Israel. Not a signle one was in the Israeli government. They were jsut Jews living their life. And then, ibrahim hussein berro comes along and bombs them. Look at the brank transactions.. Both hamas and hezbollah gave him money before the attack. What does that tell you??!??

Supporting hamas is supporting terrorism.

I think america should offer asylum to any Christian in palestine, so that they can live a life in happiness and in freedom, and not fear their Churches being torn done.

 

[Skywalker]

Obviously you guys didn't read the article entirely if you're claiming that this is Hamas' doing... so before you get all "supporting hamas is supporting terrorism", please read the article.

Fatah officials blamed Hamas militiamen for the attack on the church and school. However, Islam Shahwan, spokesman for Hamas's Executive Force in the Gaza Strip, denied responsibility.

He nevertheless admitted that a large group of Hamas militiamen had been near the area during the attack. "We have instructed all our men to withdraw from the area," he said. "We will punish anyone who targets churches and public institutions."

Real Muslims would have no reason to attack peaceful Christians.

 

[SATalha]

Hamas would not do sometíng like this. Come one people! There is a sick political game being played. Ever heard of the word smear? Anyway the top memberz of Hamas would not allow hamas memberz to commit such acts. I ask you be open minded and realise the bigger picture.

 

[Bittersteel]

It could be that.But there are more chances for the Hamas being responsible,as they are in control of Gaza now.true it could be a smear campaign too.but odds are against that.

 

[Ubaidah]

Hamas would not do sometíng like this.

Really? Are we talking about the same Hamas here? The same Hamas that has used men, woman & children as suicide bombers? Or are you making that statement tongue & cheek and I'm just not picking up on the sarcasm, because while I'm not saying that it's true as I do no know. It's definitely not out of the realm of possibilities.

 

[SATalha]

Really? Are we talking about the same Hamas here? The same Hamas that has used men, woman & children as suicide bombers? Or are you making that statement tongue & cheek and I'm just not picking up on the sarcasm, because while I'm not saying that it's true as I do no know. It's definitely not out of the realm of possibilities.

What iam saying is that Hamas recognise the Christian Palestinians as part of the strugle. Why would they do something like this? Hamas have Christians in their cabinet, so it goes against their aims. The order (if it was hamas) cant of come from the Hamas ranks. But Allah knows best.

 

[Keltoi]

I'm sure the leaders of Hamas would not associate themselves with such an act. The question would be if they have full control over the entire fold of Hamas. That seems unlikely due to the instability at this time.

 

[Trumble]

Forget this 'smear' nonsense and extract heads from sand, this clearly happened. But 'Hamas' as an organisation didn't do it.

I'm sure the leaders of Hamas would not associate themselves with such an act.

That's the point. I'm sure they wouldn't, either, but they don't have that degree of control. When tensions are high and there is conflict people get out of control under far more rigid and effective policing than there is in Gaza. A few nutters set out to do such a thing, which they may be justifying to themselves on religious grounds (that doesn't mean anybody else would) and far more just get wound up and swept along with the crowd and the emotion.

The only way to stop such events is to remove the circumstances in which they are likely to arise. Here, that means efficient, organised government with the means to use force (i.e guns) strictly controlled and not in the hands of assorted militias.

 

[Ubaidah]

What iam saying is that Hamas recognise the Christian Palestinians as part of the strugle. Why would they do something like this? Hamas have Christians in their cabinet, so it goes against their aims. The order (if it was hamas) cant of come from the Hamas ranks. But Allah knows best.

I'm sorry, I misunderstood. I agree with ^^ that.

 

[Skywalker]

I think Hamas are slowly starting to think bigger, and starting to consider the longterm consequences of their actions, unlike before. Securing Alan Johnston's freedom is a good indication of that. They want recognition from the int'l community, they are beginning to understand its importance, therefore it would be illogical to pull a stunt like this. It's not even Islamic.

 

[^..sTr!vEr..^]

Hamas would not do sometíng like this. Come one people! There is a sick political game being played. Ever heard of the word smear? Anyway the top memberz of Hamas would not allow hamas memberz to commit such acts. I ask you be open minded and realise the bigger picture.

Good!!

 

[SATalha]

Forget this 'smear' nonsense and extract heads from sand, this clearly happened. But 'Hamas' as an organisation didn't do it.



That's the point. I'm sure they wouldn't, either, but they don't have that degree of control. When tensions are high and there is conflict people get out of control under far more rigid and effective policing than there is in Gaza. A few nutters set out to do such a thing, which they may be justifying to themselves on religious grounds (that doesn't mean anybody else would) and far more just get wound up and swept along with the crowd and the emotion.

The only way to stop such events is to remove the circumstances in which they are likely to arise. Here, that means efficient, organised government with the means to use force (i.e guns) strictly controlled and not in the hands of assorted militias.

To be in control of Gaza? Hum how can this be done when you have people backstabing and not wanting Hamas to succeed. They dont have the support of the International community and the have Fatah to deal with. Not to mention living in a sick conditions created by Israel, so how can they do this?

 

[Trumble]

To be in control of Gaza? Hum how can this be done when you have people backstabing and not wanting Hamas to succeed. They dont have the support of the International support and the have Fatah to deal with. Not to mention living in a sick conditions created by Israel, so how can they do this?

International support, or the lack of it, and Fatah have little to do with whether Hamas can control their own supporters and militias.

 

[SATalha]

International support, or the lack of it, and Fatah have little to do with whether Hamas can control their own supporters and militias.

One thing i will say about Fatah is that they are not innocent in what they do. They have been known to stir trouble. Remember it is not clear yet who has done this. Anyway this is not the point, the main thing that needs to be highlighted is the fact that Christian Palestinians are PART of the struggle and should not be harmed in anyway.

 

[Intisar]

Subhanallah, why can't we live in peace!? :-\

 

[SATalha]

Peace is a complex issue for man. This is something iam sure other memberz will agree with?

 

[Encolpius]

Real Muslims would have no reason to attack peaceful Christians.

Aye. And no true Scotsman puts salt on his porridge.

 

[Skywalker]

Aye. And no true Scotsman puts salt on his porridge.

Please elaborate.