Christian Web News - Two weeks after the Pope attempted to appease Muslims by praising the efforts for a Palestinian State, Palestinian Authority Muslims went on a rampage this past Sunday, destroying 70 Christian graves.
Gravestones were smashed and metal and stone crosses were knocked off graves in the village of Jiffna, near Ramallah, home to about 700 Muslims and 900 Christians. George Abdo, an official for the Greek Orthodox Church, told Reuters the head and hand of a statue of Madonna (the virgin Mary) also was severed.
"Christians don't feel free anymore. Our way of life is changing while the Muslim population grows," a local Christian told WND. The Christian would only give his first name, Anis, for fear of Muslim retaliation if he speaks out. He pointed out there are several other Anis's in Jiffna.
Jiffna has always been primarily a Christian village, but over the past six to eight years, the town has seen a steady influx of Muslims who were attracted to Jiffna’s good quality of life. Two years ago, the first mosque was constructed in the village. If the Islamic population continues to grow, Jiffna might go the way of so many other cities, like Ramallah and Bethlehem, where the population used to be predominantly Christian but now is almost entirely Muslim and where violence has been so frequent, few tourist dare to enter the cities.
And like Bethlehem, Ramallah and other formerly Christian cities that became mostly Muslim, as the Islamic population rises in Jiffna local Christians are complaining of an increased atmosphere of intimidation.
"They (Muslims) are trying to impose their way of life," said Anis.
The Palestine News Network, which claims to be comprised of independent journalists, neglected to report the incident. Instead, readers were told about a Muslim-Christian meeting in Shechem to discuss bias during Pope Benedic XVI's visit. It said that the focus of the talks was the status of Jerusalem and efforts "to keep the optimal model of peaceful coexistence and tolerance between religions, particularly between Muslims and Christians."
Reuters quoted Issa Kassissieh, an advisor to PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, as saying that the attack was "an isolated act against Christian symbols” and that "Palestinian Christians and Muslims have always lived in harmony in the Holy Land.”
But, Sunday’s anti-Christian attack was not an isolated incident. Years of harassment from Muslims has escalated a lengthy exodus of Christians from Judea, Samaria and Gaza. These areas enjoyed prosperous economies from 1967, when Israel took regained control of the areas following the Six-Day War, until 2000, when Palestinian terrorists launched the Oslo War, also known as the Second Intifada.
Two months ago, a fire caused damage to a Coptic Christian church near Ramallah in what may have been arson.
Palestinian terrorists in Kalkilya three years ago set fire to the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) headquarters.
The previous year, a Muslim mob armed with clubs beat Christians in a Christian Arab village near Ramallah, looting houses before burning them along with cars. The attack came after a pregnant woman was murdered by her Muslim family because of an alleged affair with her Christian employer.
Anti-Christian acts in Gaza have escalated since Hamas seized control of the region two years ago. Al Hayat reported that Hamas implemented Sharia law in Gaza in December 2008, which includes execution by crucifixion. Eyewitness accounts during Israel’s recent offensive against Hamas confirmed that crucifixions were indeed taking place.
Of course, the PA and foreign news agencies have said Israel is to blame for harsh economic conditions that have chased away Christians. Reuters told its readers “Ara officials say many Christians have emigrated in recent decades. Most cite economic hardships under Israeli occupation, though some also voice fears of less tolerant forms of Islam growing among Palestinians.”
Whilst it is deplorable that vandals would do this, I wonder why you didn't quote Greek Orthodox Church official George Abdo pointing out: "This unfortunate incident has brought Muslims and Christians closer and many from the Muslim community have shown solidarity with us and have condemned this action" as at least the Daily Mail did?
