Pope calls to end violence against West Bank Palestinians, settler attacks surge

LifeSite News: His comments come after residents of Taybeh, the West Bank’s only Christian village, appealed to Leo for help amid settler attacks threatening members of the community.

“I urgently ask the international community to take action so as to advance the two-state solution, for a fair and lasting peace,” the pope added after noon prayers at his Castel Gandolfo residence outside Rome.

The Vatican has long backed the idea of a future Palestinian state, which has been recognized by more than 150 of 193 UN member states as encompassing the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, which Israel has annexed and considers its undivided capital.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, the most right-wing in Israel’s history, has overseen massive settlement construction in the West Bank that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says is aimed at burying the idea of such a state.

Settler violence has mounted in recent years, with near-daily, sometimes deadly attacks taking place throughout the West Bank, but few suspects have been arrested or charged. Read More…

Opinion: Ok class time for a pop Bible quiz.

• 1. Is it Biblical for Jews to attack Palestinians on God’s land?
• 2. Is a two state solution Biblically sound?

1. “You shall not abhor an Edomite, for he is your brother (Gen. 25:23) You shall not abhor an Egyptian, because you were an alien in his land.” Deuteronomy 23:7

2. “I will also gather all nations, And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there On account of My people, My heritage Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; They have also divided up My land.” Joel 3:2

Any questions?