Israel Matzav

Your tax euros at work: Europeans to pay to repair Church of the Nativity?

In 2002, 'Palestinian' terrorists seized the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and held priests and monks inside hostage for more than a month. The terrorists were eventually routed by the IDF and were expelled to several overseas destinations, but not before they had looted and destroyed much of the church's interior.

Now, the 'Palestinian Authority' would like you to make amends for the terrorists' despicable behavior. Seeing as the Middle East synod was so supportive of the 'Palestinian' cause, the 'Palestinians' would like to give European taxpayers the opportunity to pay for the repair of the Church of the Nativity. As a 'feel good' bonus, you would also be able to tell yourselves that you are putting 'Palestinians' back to work for the first time since the 'Palestinian Authority' forced them to quit their (higher paying) jobs working for the evil, Jewish 'settlers.'

The Palestinian Authority has announced plans to conduct a restoration project at the Nativity Church in Bethlehem, which its own terrorists damaged eight years ago.

Funding for the project will not come from the existing PA budget, and officials are hoping to get donations from European countries and the Arab world for the project.

Ziad Bandak, a PA official involved in the project, told Associated Press writer Mohammed Daraghmeh that the restoration will be the first at the site since it was built in the fourth century. Rain has caused damage to the roof and other parts of the building, Bandak said.

The building was also damaged in 2002 when it was used by PA terrorists in a standoff with Israeli soldiers. Monks who managed to escape during the standoff with help from IDF troops reported that the terrorists had beaten Christian clergymen and had stolen crosses and prayer books.

Terrorists also started a fire at the site that cost tens of thousands of dollars' worth of damage, and left behind dozens of explosive devices.

There's even more cynicism in this project. Read the whole thing.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 10:24 AM