Palestinians wielding guns and firebombs attacked five churches in the West Bank and Gaza yesterday, following remarks by Pope Benedict XVI that angered many Muslims. The attacks left church doors charred and walls pockmarked with bullet holes and scorched by firebombs. Churches of various denominations were targeted.
Relations between Palestinian Muslims and Christians are generally peaceful, and the attacks on the churches sparked concern that tensions will heighten. "The atmosphere is charged already, and the wise should not accept such acts," Father Yousef Saada, a Greek Catholic priest in Nablus, said Saturday.
Firebombings left black scorch marks on the walls and windows of Nablus' Anglican and Greek orthodox churches. At least five firebombs hit the Anglican church and its door was later set ablaze. Smoke billowed from the church as firefighters put out the fire.
A group calling itself the "Lions of Monotheism" claimed responsibility for those attacks, saying they were carried out to protest the pope's remarks in a speech last week in Germany linking Islam and violence. Later Saturday, four masked gunmen doused the main doors of Nablus' Roman and Greek Catholic churches with lighter fluid, then set them afire. They also opened fire on the buildings, striking both with bullets.
In Gaza City, Palestinian terrorists opened fire from a car at a Greek Orthodox church, striking the facade. A policeman at the scene said he saw a Mitsubishi escape with armed men inside. Explosive devices were set off at the same Gaza church on Friday, causing minor damage. There were no claims of responsibility for the last three attacks Saturday.
Looks like the "Religion Of Peace" didn't get the memo. The Orthodox churches separated from the Pope in the 11th century and the Anglican churches in the 16th century.
Of course the "Religion of Peace" is living in the 7th century.
Posted by: patch | Sep 17, 2006 at 20:44