Bethlehem mayor Victor Batarseh (photo: bethlehem-city.org)
Sad, but predictable: In his Christmas message, the mayor of Bethlehem, a Palestinian Christian, has called for a boycott of Israel, declaring, “It worked with South Africa.” Khaled Abu Toameh comments:
The mayor’s anti-Israel message came at a time when Christians throughout the Arab world — and in Bethlehem and the Gaza Strip — are facing serious threats. But of course Batarseh has chosen to bury his head in the sand and does not want to look around him and see what is happening to his fellow Christians.
The Bethlehem mayor’s Christmas message completely ignored the fact that the “Arab Spring” has been anything but a blessing to Christians living in the Arab countries. According to Rita Daou, a reporter for Agence France Press, “The rise of Islamist movements in countries swept by the Arab revolutions has sent shudders throughout the region’s Christians who fear for their survival and question the make-up of the Middle East.”
Toameh concludes, “For now, Israel remains the only place in the Middle East where Arab Christians feel protected and safe.” Mr. Mayor, pull your head out of the sand and listen.
What do you think?
2:10 pm
WHY DID THE MACCABEES NOT HAVE THE FAITH THAT MISES HAD.God would have saved them like He did when the Isrealites backs were up against that sea with nowhere to go! It is not a Happy Hanukkah !
2:06 pm
This is the true story of Hanukkah:8 days of Victory gaining the temple worship back & cleansing it. Only for them to burn the men, women&kids 3 yrs later. God never told anyone to committ suicide!
2:02 pm
ANYONE KNOW OF THE BOOKS OF THE MACCABEES?READ OF IT ON ASK.COM UNDER : how the Maccabees died(by suicide ontop of MtMoriah a fortress.they committed suicide&burned their peoples.3yrs later,
Happy????
9:26 am
For him to be calling himself a Christian and saying things like this is really unbelievable and strange. He is walking on thin ice with God.
4:43 pm
IN THE NAME OF YESHUA THE JEWISH SON OF GOD WHO CALLS HIS ‘CHOSEN’ THE ‘APPLE OF HIS EYE’, THIS MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL… I THINK HIS HEART HAS BEEN HARDENED andTHE EYES OF HIS HEART BLINDED!
4:01 pm
The mayor said Bethlehem is the only place Christians feel safe. Funny thing is it’s in Palestine custody. Israel is the only place safe for Christians and Jews.
3:47 pm
I believe it says “Palestinian” first. That could be the first hint of what is wrong with this picture. Christian? In word or deed?
2:42 pm
He is a fool and is not representative of Christians in that part of the world.
2:13 pm
Israel has been bashed to long by to many, they only try and protect themselves when attacked. America stands firmly with Israel. The Nation that border the Jewish state has plenty of land. Let them show the world how big they can be and give the Palestinians a country of their own. Leave Israel alone.
6:41 pm
They already have a homeland. It’s called Jordan. Before they were. driven out!
3:01 am
Actually a majority of the American people stand with Israel but Obama does not clearly stand with Israel. He also is one of the few or only Presidents to refuse to honor the Boy Scouts of America.
11:36 am
He seems to want Israel to give up the land to the so-called Palestinians. He does not speak for any Christians that I know!
11:32 am
God has greatly blessed America for standing with Israel. If we want God to continue to bless us, then, America, we had better continue to stand with the God’s people, Israel. The written word, the Bible, tells us that Jehovah God will bless the ones that bless Israel and will curse the ones that persecute Israel.
5:19 pm
God forbid that any professing Christian turn’s on Israel.The great I am is with Israel..God bless Israel.
10:37 pm
God bless Israel and America.
11:21 am
I have seen cities, communities, states and persons, destroyed every time a person, mayor, governor or president said something against Israel. It is sad that a Christian is against Israel and be anti-Semitic.
10:12 am
Psalms 122 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
9:42 am
Would strongly question if this Mayor even knows what Christianity really is.
9:41 am
I AGREE WITH DAVID! WE ARE ENCOURAGED BY GOD’S WORD TO STAND WITH ISRAEL, AND THE PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL HAS CURRENTLY REACHED OUT TO CHRISTIANS WORLDWIDE(INCLUDING BETHLEHEM) IN HIS CHRISTMAS MESSAGE POSTED ON YOU TUBE. GOD IS STILL ALIVE AND WELL, AND DRAWS PEOPLE TO HIMSELF DAILY BY SHOWING LOVE! WE SHOULD DO THE SAME!
9:35 am
This man is not a “true’ christian. If he was he would be standing with Israel and Bethlehem. Maybe he is senile and needs to take a rest from office.
9:08 am
I do not pretend to know anything about middle eastern politics, but I do not understand any people who love death more than life and will send children to be killed for the cause
8:55 am
Obviously Batarseh has not read his Scriptures. If he had, he would know that we are to stand together as Christians and stand strong behind Israel. I believe he needs to spend more time studying God’s word, more time seeking the reality of the situation and less time railing against Israel. I can’t believe that someone who is a Christian would say such a thing!
8:54 am
Praying that Christians would stand with Israel John 17:21-25. That we would be united.
8:44 am
Recognize Israel and Boycott Bethlehem !!!
3:09 am
Obama recognized Israel this year by lighting all the candles of the Menorah at once and on the wrong day, actually coinciding/timing/observing it on a Muslim holy day.
1:51 pm
HAAAHAHAAA LOL LOL WHY AM I NOR SURPRIZED??
He SUFFERS FROM REPROBATE MIND (see Romans ch.1)
My response to comment on “LIGHTUNG ALL THE CANDLES AND ON THE WRONG DAY A MUSLIM DAY)!!
8:41 am
What a shame, most mayors would love for their cities to grow and this one wants to close the doors, sir, get your head out of your butt!
8:34 am
As Christians, we should now, and always stand with Israel.
9:29 am
Totally aGREE.
10:12 am
Absolutely!!!!
11:13 am
I guess the ‘Christian’ mayor has forgotten that Jesus was an Hebrew rabbi!