Levi wrote: |
Vatican recognizes state of Palestine in new treaty
The Vatican had welcomed the decision by the U.N. General Assembly in 2012 to recognize a Palestinian state. But the treaty is the first legal document negotiated between the Holy See and the Palestinian state and constitutes official diplomatic recognition. "Yes, it's a recognition that the state exists," said the Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi. The Israeli foreign ministry said it was "disappointed" by the development. "This move does not promote the peace process and distances the Palestinian leadership from returning to direct and bilateral negotiations," the ministry said in a text message. "Israel will study the agreement and will consider its steps accordingly." The treaty was finalized days before Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visits Pope Francis at the Vatican. Abbas is heading to Rome to attend Francis' canonization Sunday of two new saints from the Holy Land. The Vatican has been referring unofficially to the state of Palestine for at least a year. During Pope Francis' 2014 visit to the Holy Land, the Vatican's official program referred to Abbas as the president of the "state of Palestine." In the Vatican's latest yearbook, the Palestinian ambassador to the Holy See is listed as representing "Palestine (state of)." The Vatican's foreign minister, Monsignor Antoine Camilleri, acknowledged the change in status, given that the treaty was initially inked with the PLO and is now being finalized with the "state of Palestine." But he said the shift was simply in line with the Holy See's position. This isn't the first time that the Vatican under Francis has taken diplomatic moves knowing that it would ruffle feathers: Just last month, Francis referred to the slaughter of Armenians by Turkish Ottomans a century ago as a "genocide," prompting Turkey to recall its ambassador. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_REL_VATICAN_PALESTINIAN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-05-13-10-07-28 |
Levi wrote: |
Israel hawks to Pope Francis: Stay out of politics
It wasn’t just Duncan. Several House conservatives seemed exasperated that Francis, who will address Congress this fall, approved the Vatican’s recognition of Palestine as a state. On Wednesday, critics said Rome needs to leave the question of Palestinian statehood to be sorted out in the Middle East. “I’m disappointed,” Duncan added. “Now the Pope is legitimizing a Palestinian state without requiring those who get recognition to recognize Israel as a Jewish state.” Others were frustrated that the pontiff would recognize a place that’s an avowed enemy of a U.S. ally like Israel. “I’m surprised that the pope would recognize Palestine when they’re still haters who want to eliminate Israel off the map and don’t recognize Israel,” said Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), a member of the Israel Allies Caucus. “The Pope is the head of his religion, and he makes those calls for himself, but I represent 700,000 people from East Texas and a vast majority agree with me.” Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), who co-chairs the caucus, was even bolder, calling the pontiff’s position into question on Biblical grounds. “He’s a religious figure and he has every right to have his political viewpoint, but someone of that profile should have strong scriptural foundation for whatever positions he takes that are extensively representing the head of the Catholic Church,” Franks said. “I think this is probably one he should not have expressed.” “I’m not sure he’s fully apprised of the circumstances out there,” Franks said. The Vatican’s policy change comes just a day after a top aide to Francis blasted U.S. politicians for denying climate change, blaming it on capitalism. The pope has also made waves with comments on homosexuality that many considered more moderate than his predecessors and with skepticism of consumerism. Several Republicans were more forgiving. Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.), who is Catholic, didn’t seem too worried and said it’s not really in his wheelhouse. “On faith and morals, he can speak to that … but on foreign affairs, maybe not,” he said. Another idea some members floated: Maybe he just doesn’t know any better. “I’m not sure that he’s as good of a politician as he is a Pope,” said Steve King (R-Iowa). Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), also Catholic, has invited the Pope to address Congress later this year, where the whole world will watch to see if he delivers a political message. He has, after all, not shied away from criticizing his own priests for lack of piety at a holiday mass. Huelskamp said that, when the Pope comes to Washington, he hopes the Pontiff “focuses on issues [where] he can make a difference — the ‘non-negotiables’”— like abortion, same sex marriage and the like. “How do you deal with a poverty problem? There’s not a Catholic [fix], contrary to the arguments of certain economists that work at the Vatican,” Huelskamp said, said referring to the pope’s views on economics. “But there’s a Catholic view on life, on marriage, on the rights of parents and education. So I hope he sticks to this.” http://www.politico.com/story/2015/05/israel-hawks-to-pop-francis-stay-out-of-politics-117929.html http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/05/13/lawmakers-express-shock-dismay-at-popes-recognition-of-palestinian-state/ |
Yochanan wrote: |
The pope needs to stick to things which he knows best such as fondling little boys. |
Yochanan wrote: |
As for Rubio, he talks, but then Obama talked a lot about all the wonderful things he would do once in office. The GOP all talked about why they needed to be elected so they could counter all the destruction brought forth by the Libs. What have we actually seen? Not much! |
Levi wrote: | ||
True, but all of them talk and we will have to choose who convinces us the most. Since Sarah Palin is not running, we will have to use our judgment for the ones who do run. Jeb Bush has been disappointing to me before and lately he is making amateurish mistakes in his speeches and interviews. Rubio, on the other hand, has been very impressive lately. |
Levi wrote: |
Or, as Lewis Black said in one of his comedy stand-up specials: we will have to close the nose and choose the bowl of s--t that smells less than the other. |
Levi wrote: |
Marco Rubio Lights It Up
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2015/05/14/marco_rubio_lights_it_up |
All times are GMT