Religion | The American Task Force on Palestine

An occasional Palestinian Christian encounter of Israeli intolerance
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
by Baha Hilo - (Opinion) April 17, 2012 - 12:00am

The Israeli ambassador to the US appears to really believe that Palestinian Christians suffer significantly from Palestinian Muslims, and just occasionally from Israeli intolerance. Palestinian Christians' reality is the complete opposite. The ambassador's latest missives in the American press have provoked Palestinian Christian leaders to remind him and his readers that Israel really isn't all that friendly to its Christians.

The plight of Palestinian Christians
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Faysal Huazeen, Ibrahim Shomali - (Opinion) April 16, 2012 - 12:00am

Based on our years as parish priests in Palestine, we were appalled by the false allegations regarding Palestinian Christians made in recent weeks by Israeli spokespeople, such as Ambassador Michael Oren. We were perplexed not because of their position, which has been part of the official Israeli narrative for many years, but by how openly they have distorted facts and misconstrued the plight of Palestinian Christians pursuing justice and peace.

Christians Mark Good Friday in the Holy Land
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Daniella Cheslow - April 6, 2012 - 12:00am

JERUSALEM — Roman Catholics and Protestants in the Holy Land commemorated the crucifixion of Jesus Christ Friday in prayers and processions through Jerusalem's Old City. In the town of Beit Jala, adjacent to Bethlehem, Palestinian Catholics re-enacted Jesus' stations of the cross in their olive groves and vineyards. Father Ibrahim Shomali led the Good Friday procession in Arabic, wearing a white tunic and purple clerical shawl. Dozens of believers followed him, bearing Palestinian flags and olivewood crosses.

Of bondage and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Jonathan Rosen - (Opinion) April 4, 2012 - 12:00am

After 130 years of Zionist activism, 64 years of statehood, 45 years of occupation, more than 20 years of failed negotiations with the PLO and seven years of disengagement; after seven wars, two intifadas, the rise of Hamas and the specter of anti-Semitic Islamist sentiment sweeping the region, many Israelis have come to the conclusion that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is simply intractable.

A dark Easter for Palestinian Christians
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Religion News Service
by Richard Stearns - (Opinion) April 4, 2012 - 12:00am

Each year during Holy week, Christians around the world anticipate what come call the “Old Faithful” of miracles. At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre — built over the traditional site that encompasses Jesus’ tomb and the place of his crucifixion — the archbishop enters the tomb after being inspected by Jewish authorities to ensure he has no means of lighting a fire. After saying prayers and worshiping the risen Christ, the candles miraculously alight.

Oppose church divestment from Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)
by Noam E. Marans - (Opinion) April 3, 2012 - 12:00am

NEW YORK (JTA) -- As Christians and Jews gather during their respective Easter and Passover holidays, we should recall all that Jews and liberal Protestants in America share and have accomplished together. But pride in the past should not blind us to the danger that this relationship could be derailed by pernicious responses to the Arab-Israeli conflict within certain churches.

Israel's occupation fills an ancient Mideast need for evil
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Salman Masalha - (Opinion) March 28, 2012 - 12:00am

First of all, when it comes to Iran, it should be acknowledged that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is right. Since the ayatollahs took power Iranian leaders haven't stopped talking about Israel, referring to it as "the Little Satan" at every opportunity. And when these leaders, whose spiritual world is constrained by such messianic shackles, use such a loaded expression it's clear they must take active steps to deal with such a Satan, even a little one. But in saying that Netanyahu is correct, that's as far as it goes.

Jesus for Jews
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Shmuel Rosner - (Opinion) March 28, 2012 - 12:00am

JERUSALEM — Last week on Monday morning, in the busy dining room of the Inbal hotel, Tim Burt, an associate pastor at Living Word Christian Center in Minneapolis, told me a story of mistrust. Several years ago, his church held its first “Night to Honor Israel” — an opportunity, said Burt, for Christians “to demonstrate their love and support for Israel and the Jewish people.”

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