Christian Attitudes

The Patriarch of Jerusalem, Michel Sabbah, known to some as the Patriarch of Terror, has aimed another blow at the Jews. He thinks they should not have a State.

"If there's a state of one religion, other religions are naturally discriminated against," Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah told reporters at the annual press conference he holds in Jerusalem before the Christian holiday.

Like Saudi Arabia, for example, Patriarch? Funny, I haven’t heard him complaining about inequalities and injustice in that country – or anywhere except Israel.

In his address, which he read in Arabic and English, Sabbah said Israel should abandon its Jewish character in favor of a "political, normal state for Christians, Muslims and Jews."

"This land cannot be exclusive for anyone," he said.

Try saying that in Saudi Arabia or other Muslim States – or, indeed, somewhere closer to home. How many Jews are allowed to live in Gaza, for instance? How much freedom of worship is enjoyed by Christians in Middle Eastern countries outside of religiously tolerant Israel?

Hopefully this will be Sabbah's final feeble kick in that direction. In less than three months he reaches the age of 75, which is the retirement age for Catholic priests and bishops.

There is a barbaric custom among the Palestinians of passing round sweets in celebration when their terrorists have carried out a massacre. Perhaps it would not be barbaric, though, if Catholics who care about Jews and detest anti-semitism followed their example. This is not in celebration of a massacre, but a timely event. When Sabbah retires, I would suggest it be appropriate for such Catholics to celebrate by passing round some humbugs.