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Thursday, October 13, 2016

ENJOYING THE HOLY LAND AND NOT HEARING ABOUT AMERICAN POLITICS

I am currently at Pilgerhaus Tabgha, a retreat house run by German Benedictines on the Sea of Galilee in Tiberius, Israel.

We've been in Jerusalem and the dangerous areas of Palestine since Monday. We've had Israeli troops with machine guns board our bus twice as we departed Palestine controlled areas. And signs warn Israelis that if they enter Palestine areas, it will be dangerous to their lives.

I am conflicted about the Palestine and Israel perspectives on things political. The Palestinians, many are Christians, not all are Muslims, are treated like dirt on their own soil.

The Christian Palestinians are the ones leaving because they can trust no one, Jews or Muslims. Everyone is a fault for the problems in the Land of Jesus, the Holy Land.

But at least I don't have to hear about Hilary and the Donald. The American election in Europe and Israel is viewed as a joke this time around and the Donald is seen as American Berlusconni.

Posting is sporadic as I am on the road and WIFI is limited.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Father, are you going to celebrate any Masses in the Extraordinary Form anywhere here in Jerusalem? We live in Jerusalem and are starved for Mass in the EF--they are very, very rarely offered here.

rcg said...

There is so little objective information concerning the treatment of Palistinians. That they are treated badly is understood, but why, and by whom? My limited exposure is that it is a cynical exploitation of their ethnicity and their leaders participate in it.

It is good to get away from the election. It is, essentially, over. What we need to do now is think how we will cope with the friction that will come afterwards.

Rood Screen said...

First of all, a US Southerner of Italian descent staying in a German monastery sounds interesting.

Second, any Israeli who doesn't already know that the Palestinians will harm them probably won't benefit much from mere road signs.

Third, when I lived briefly up North, I learned that "dangerous areas" means "African-American neighborhoods". Racism is everywhere. Christians are the "African-Americans" of the Middle East and North Africa.

Fourth, the latest news is that Hilary groped Donald after the debate, and he liked it. Bill watched, but did not have sex with that woman.

Seeker said...

Lucky You. Absolutely nuts here! Enjoy your time away.