Decent, lovely, clever man, Rabbi Lau is.

I have to agree with Rabbi Lau's viewpoing. Also, I don't think this is a conflict that Israel needed to get into at the present time. Since becoming Pope, Benedict has made a point of his wish to strengthen ties with the Jewish community and he's expressed his regret for having joined the Hitler Youth, even though he probably could have made excuses based on the fact that he was very young at the time. I think if this had been a Pope like Paul VI, who was unashamedly hostile toward Israel, an angry response might have been more appropriate. In the case of Pope Benedict, though, he should have been given the benefit of the doubt. Having said that, perhaps the Vatican could have taken the moral high ground and made an effort to understand why Israelis are sensitive to the lack of outrage over the suicide bombings in their country. It wasn't necessary for the situation to be inflamed any further.

Rabbi Lau sounds like a reasonable person who I think if the majority is Israelis take as an idol, Israel might be in peace with its neighbors by now!

His Holiness has always condemned terrorism whereever it took place. But you are trying to pick on him on one instance which is not fair. It is their discretion when to call an incident a terrorist incident.

As if it's not enough that no one speaks anymore against Israel's hateful & racist policy of occupation, now the babies of god want the world to condemn the few Palestinian attempts to free their lands! GREEDY!

Khaled, By calling us "The Babies of G-d" shows that you have come to grip with who we are. Babies of, children of....yes, we are G-d's children. Thank you. Does this mean you now accept that this is our land, given to us by G-d? Since we are "The Babies of G-d" according to you? I just wanted to make sure we are all on the same page here. You, me, Sal, Linda....all of us. All of G-d's children.

the Pope said he want to make more contact with the Jewish comunities but he didn't say with Israel ... it's not the same when he make contact with the Jewish people around the world this is somthing good to build dialog between relegions but he can not support a state known as a rasict state and still occuping another people ... no relegion can support such matter .... you got it baby ? ... keep smile .... or shout back with others

I can understand Rabbi Lau' s attitude of give the Pope time as he is a very tolerant man. However, when we remember the Holy See’s relationship with Hitler and the fact that His Holiness was a member of the Hitler Youth, one can only be reminded of the attitude of appeasement in the 1930's by Chamberlain, the Pope and to a certain extent, the United States, which bred apathy and in turn, led to the extermination of six million Jews. A point to Sal Azam and his friend Khaled. The Palestinians and other Arabs have killed over 20, 000 Israelis of all creeds due to their belligerence and hatred of Israel. This started long before the creation of the State of Israel and before the “occupation”. They have also lost a great number of people due to nothing more than hatred. However, you cannot compare the Arab - Israeli conflict to the wholesale murder of the Jews in Europe just because they were Jews. I would also remind Khaled of Amman that the Kingdom of Jordan, which I had the pleasure of visiting a few years ago, was created by the same act of Partition that created the State of Israel. Based on your statement that the "Jews want it all”, the same to your country, after all, Jordan occupies a great part of the “Palestinian lands.” Its about time that the Arabs realized that violence, intifada and terrorism are not going to destroy the State of Israel and push all the Jews in to the sea. On the contrary, it could destroy the Palestinian Authority and future Palestinian state as the Authority’s economy is weak and because of this Palestinians are living in squalor and sub-human conditions. Further, I do not see the Saudis, Kuwaitis and other wealthy Arab countries running to their aid. Only someone who is totally naïve and stupid would assume that the Gaza “Pullout” or even a return to the pre 1967 borders would heal the hatred between Jews and Palestinians. The best that we can hope for is that some form of reason will prevail and that with give and take on both sides, a relatively peaceful co-existence can be achieved. The most ludicrous thing of the whole conflict is that if the Palestinians had not resorted to violence after the 1948 and 1956 Wars, they would have had their state, their would not have been an occupation, no intifadas and a lot of people on both sides would be alive today.

"a few palestinian attempts to free their lands" I cant quote you the exact numbers, but its more than a few. You make a real joke of yourself.

talk about greedy and racist.look who's talking, eh? you guys should know 'greedy' eh? Hum, Israel comprises 1/10'th of 1% of the total land in the middle east and you troglodytes have the nerve to call wanting a few km of desert land 'greedy'? Now racist? Yeah, fraudi arabia? Remember them, the leaders of your sick clan? The most backward animals to ever walk the face of this fine planet and the worlds BIGGEST bigots if there ever were any.Mind you, it's only natural because you are the most selfish lazy spoiled brats on the face of the earth.You destroy whatever you touch.No wonder you always lose.

Cliff, easy on the words my friend. Practice what you preach. "Arabia" what kind of name is that. Do you learn your history from Ali Baba books. Do not insult 280 million people because you do not like one. Let me clarify this to all: We are all God's children and we are all equal. Yes the land contested is very small part of the Arab world and very important part of the world. Our conflict is not about a piece of land it is about this piece of land. This land is promised to Jews is fine, but Arabs (Muslims & Christians) are also equally entitiled to live in it as free nations. If Palestinians have lived here only for 100 years it is then enough to accept their right to live free as a nation. We all know that Palestinians are a nation not defined by religion but by national identity.

Farouk, I practice what I preach quite well, thank you my friend. My spelling is totally intentional.I poke fun at your troglodyte arab states like fraudi arabia because they are backwards and completely racist entities.BTW, I am well qualified to talk 'history' here or anywhere for that matter.I'm an educated historian well versed in legal history and I have won every single argument to the point that I make my foes eat dirt. Now for your point.You said "Yes the land contested is very small part of the Arab world and very important part of the world." I reply: I disagree, it's a very important area for the Jews as Judaism originated from there!Like Rome is for Christians, and mecca is for islam.In fact next to Jews, Christians have more right to the land than islam does! To 'clarify', this area is NOT important for the muslins or islam. It's not even mentioned in your koran.To imply that islam should be 'equal' in that area is an insult to Jews and Christians.Be it so, then stand up and grant Jews and Christians exclusive rights to pray in mecca fraudi arabia, your holy site in islam.It just won't happen because your holy place of worship is racist and stuck in the 7'th century.Plain and simple.Your point only proves my previous argument that your version of islam is greedy and selfish and they do not wish to work in our society to improve, only to make submission.

Why are you so bitter, and why is everything competitive to you that you have to "every single argument to the point that I make my foes eat dirt. " You are a classy guy use more productive vocabulary so people listen to you. No to correct some facts: Chistianity originated here and therefore Christians have a right to this land. Judiasem also and Islam equally. It is not to be meseaured by meter as absolute right nor are we as humans to dictate the level of holiness to each relegion. As far as mention in the Quran, it is mentioned many times and referenced as "Bait al Maqdess" and "Al Quds Al Shariff" and "Al Majsed Al Aqsa" in reference to the holy place and hence the name Al Quds and the holy land. Now granting right to Christianity and Judiasem to pray in Mecca really serves no purpose, each prays is his own place of worship. Grant right to visit Mecca and tour it, yes it is wrong not to allow this since there is nothing to hide and both christianity and judiasem are revered in islam as followers of god and his message. So I do not see why you accuse me of insulting Judiasem. Finally, your hate towards muslims is driven by your choice to see 1 billion muslims as represented by a radical minority that has hijacked islam and is driven the wedge between us. I hope you do not see 1 billion muslims (28% of which are arab) as "greedy and selfish and they do not wish to work in our society to improve, only to make submission" As for Saudi Arabia, your "fraudi arabia" is in difficult sitaution as it is attacked by those "backwards roglodyte" you hate for being a strong ally of the west especially USA and attacked by you for being "backwards and roglodyte" arab country. Let us get one thing clear, you can make peoples and cultures be what you want driven by the beleif that you are "holier than thou", you must accept cultures for what they are so that your culture and way of life is accepted by others. Now one final correction Christianity did not start in Rome " Judaism originated from there!Like Rome is for Christians"

Farouk, thank you for your reply. I'd like to point out another islamic mis-conception to our readers.There is absolute proof that any reference to Jerusalem was inserted into the koran AFTER the original book was written.In other words, the book was re-edited over a hundred years after the initial publication in order to give the impression that Jerusalem was an important muslim site.This was a political edit and had nothing to do with islamic theologically.Where is Jerusalem mentioned in the original text of your holy book? I mean an actual passage with 'Jerusalem' mentioned.Not some building in a city or a metaphorical name.You will not be able to find any in the original text.Proof again that Jerusalem has no value to islam,except for 'booty' or as a political pawn to barter and is still viewd that way by islam today as we speak! Jerusalem is essential in Judaism and Christianity and mentioned thousands of times in the bible(old and new)!To add insult to injury muslims built a mosque on top of Judaism's most holy of holiest sites, and muslims tried to destroy all traces of that ancient culture.I call that ethnic cleansing. My other point being that if you equate islam with the holiest Jewish sites, then you should allow Jews and Christians to establish churches and Synagogues in islams holiest sites!After all, Jews specifically were the very first inhabitants of the middle east!How come it's ok for your religion to infringe on our territory, but muslims get slighted the moment an infidel steps on muslim land? You can't have it both ways and say you are a peaceful religion.The truth just states the complete opposite. I'm not 'bitter' at islam.I'm angry that your religion is used as an excuse by bigots and racists to deceive and corrupt decent societies that are different from your own.I see over 1 billion peaceful muslims as cowardly sheep who fail to stand up for humanity and spend their time blaming and being the 'victim' for what they have brought about on themselves.islam has built many walls and notwithstanding, islam has a lot of work ahead of it to see these walls go down.It is the fault of islam and you have to come to terms with that.Life is give and take, not take and submit!We notice muslim attempts at terror and how muslims have helped insert more red tape into our simple lives.We can thank you for the extra money we waste on behalf of your fellow islamists who's goal it is is to just kill. I'm sure there is 'good' in islam, but it has yet to be noticed by us in the west.And you know what? That is what really counts. As for fraudi arabia.They are NOT an ally, they are human parasites that use western money and technology to spread their troglodyte lifestyles around the planet. Now for my final 'coup de gras'.You said ". Now one final correction Christianity did not start in Rome " Judaism originated from there!Like Rome is for Christians" What? WRONG!!! My advice to you is 'read'.Read a lot and learn.Read and learn like it will save your life, because I guarantee you, if you do as I ask, you will benefit and be at peace.Just making that claim has lost you any credibility and respect you may have had.It also shows that you are brainwashed with lies.

"Coup de gras" you are funny cliff. Listen you were ok until the last paragraph. Obviously we do not read the same books, but still we both are entitled to our opinions but I will not say you are cliff "brainwashed with lies". I did my reading and one thing I learned is not to use words like "human parasites", "bigots", etc. Now I am not sure what proof you are talking about an edited version in the Quran where Al Quds/Jerusalem was inserted. In any case that will not change the facts on the ground. Now enlighten me about how christianity started from Rome. Maybe by living here too long I believe that all creation started here, but I seek your knowledge. One final note, if you want the Saudis to use western money, stop using their oil and start walking. And yes you win this arguement because I have learned nothing of value from your posts. Respect goes a long way.

to Farouk,thank you again for your honest and polite reply.I do respect that. I don't 'win' arguments Farouk, I use logic to prove a point.That is something your religion currently does not employ.You have a religion that is centered on 'ego' submission and insecurity, hoping the universal creator will reward you for deeds done in G_DS name! That to my eyes is slavery,control and addiction, not religion. Hey,that's a different debate.Maybe you didn't read what I wrote too carefully, or you didn't quite understand what you had written, but the point I was making is that you totally ignored that Judaism and Christianity started from the middle east.Let me quote your comment to me.You said" Now one final correction Christianity did not start in Rome " Judaism originated from there!Like Rome is for Christians" These are YOUR words Farouk, not mine. I never said that Christianity came from Rome, but you imply in that sentence that Judaism did! Maybe you meant that Judaism originated from Israel and perhaps you got your words mixed up.If so, and you did mean that Judaism came from the holy land of Israel, then I apologize for getting on your case.Let me know if that is the case.I would appreciate that. About the "edited version in the Quran" I mean the koran being modified to reflect the political goals of islam. We have ample proof that the 'editors' of that book you call the koran, added some passages later(all before we were on the scene).I equate that action with like playing a game of football between two teams,islam and the Jews, and having the ref(the UN) not only spot the visiting team (islam) a few points, but also change the rules in mid-game to make it easier for that visiting team(islam) to score more points! That's what we are dealing with.A lot of muslims swear that the koran is the absolute truth, but sorry, you have been tricked to think exactly the way they wish you to think.The best way to counter this argument is to read, read, read and read some more!I don't make this stuff up just to peeve you.I work from facts not fiction. Regarding the evil fraudies.I'd love nothing more than to NOT have to use their resources.Every dollar we give them is one more dollar they use to promote their ungodly lifestyle of bigotry and hate! In fact I make a point of only using oil I know to be from Canada or the USA!I may pay more, but I'll pay anything to rid the world of these ogres. I can't wait for the day when their money pot dries up.You said "Respect goes a long way" well the fraudis always bought that respect, let's see them earn it.

Dear Cliff; Thank you for your reply. I totaly acknowledge that Judiasem started here not the holyland and was all over the region from North Africa to Saudi Arabia. It is in the Koran that jews lived in a place called Khiaber in SA. So yes Judiasem is irrevocably a main part of the region's relegion and ethnic inhabitants. So is Christianity and so is Islam. If I had the power I would make sure that all religious groups choose to live anywhere they want in the region in peace, respect and honor. But you see many years of colonial intervention in the region and leaders created during these contributed to the existing problem. A change management appraoch may one day bring an open tolerant society. As for the Saudis, they are not what they used to be. I did meet many young Saudis in my colloege days in the US and they were aspiring young leaders who are what their country needs. These young young professionals are growing in numbers and starting to be incorporated in the ruling system. I would bet on these people, in time they will be able to change one of the most complex systems in the world. Cliff, we both know the end game which we articulate differently. We know that Islam must mature and become a global player rather that as seen today a global warrior. The west must also change its approach and dealings in the muslim and arab world. Arab leaders must embrace change, plularisem, open society and trust. Israel must end the occupation and allow the palestinians to regain their dignity and life back and palestinians must take responsibility for their action. The successful arab and muslim countries are those who are led by leaders with a progressive vision. Today they are few and far between, but I never underestimate the young leaders who are emerging. Regimes and empires collapse and justice always prevails let us just focus on the path and not the obstacles. We are all (Arabs, muslims, west, Jews, Israelis, Palestinians) contributing to the problem by only focusing on self interest and being protectionists at a time where open global societies prevail. We need to seek joint interests that will bring progress and prosperity to all and not personal wealth and stature. In the arab culture there is a saying I admire "A heaven without people is no heaven" the new middle east should be full of all kinds of ethnic groups, religions and cultures. I seek a mosiac of people that bring the most out of everybody. Good luck and talk to you soon.