Anyone who excuses their lack of efforts to make peace by saying that the other side doesn't want peace is full of it. Because by saying that, you enable the other side to say it.

to send the Vatican guards, with their swords and helmets to Syria to defend the barren life of persecuted christians.

and the poor Christians in Egypt

By saying the other side doesn't want peace, especially when the other side does not accept Israel (or Jews), and teaches its kids that it's ok to kill Jews, is called 'telling the truth'. Anyone who denies the truth is full of it. And when the Pope celebrates "the birth of the state of Palestine" without mentioning the attributes of a Palestinian state that I noted above...well let's say (to be nice) that the person who wrote his speech is full of it.

... about the plight of Christians in Egypt. Or Lebanon. Or Syria. Just an offhand casual ten second utterance. Doesn't get much more hypocritical than that, but about par for the course for the Roman Catholic Church. Remember how studiously they ignored the massacre of Maronite Christians in Lebanon? I do. I also remember how quick the Roman Catholic Church was to condemn Israel for going into Lebanon to save the Christians. How does the Church stand itself?

How can the pope read the bible which is written about the Jews & Jerusalem, Judea and other places in Israel, and the pope acknowledge this land belong to the Jews, then outside the Church, he says something else. The leaders of the CHURCHES make up your mind whether Jerusalem is Jewish or Islam.

We all live in hope and talk Merry X'MAS

Dear brother Solomon and dear sister Sarah B. In fact, my Church has committed many errors, and terrible sins in past times, against Jewish people. We, true Catholic Christians, criticize it very much. But nowadays, all of it has been changed. About Christians in Egypt and Syria, Benedict XVI has spoken, firmly, against discrimination and slaughters. About Lebanon in the 70ths, in fact, Paul VI acted weakly. Israel's intervention was excellent for protecting my origin's people. But you have to understand that Vatican has no military forces; only moral ones; and her diplomacy must be careful. Nevertheless, on "Palestinian State" being recognized or not, she will never exist without a serious and honoured peace with Israel. The Pope knows it a lot. At Christmas, I salute you warmly.

This SS pope does not care for the peace of Jerusalem, nor do most Catholics, who certainly do NOT represent true Christianity- the true followers of which are devoted to the Hebrew God, the Hebrew Messiah, not the false deity of Rome. I hope that Israelis don't take this pope as representative of all who are Christian ?

Judge, where was the "moral force" of the Roman Catholic Church during the Holocaust while six million Jews perished, the vast majority of them in Roman Catholic countries, particularly that most Roman Catholic of countries -- Poland? The Vatican is the single wealthiest entity in the world; why is it that the vast majority of Roman Catholic countries are desperately poor? You need not do much more than travel through your continent (not to mention the favellas of your country, which grow larger with every passing day), or through Central America. That's an abomination. The Roman Catholic Church is NOT a force for good, and six million Jewish souls speak quite loudly and articulatedly to that effect. And that's just during the Second World War. I suggest you read "Constantine's Sword." It'll be an eye-opener as to who is directly responsible for the murder of hundreds of millions of Jews.

10# Nowadays Christians believe more and more in all kind of replacement theologies - which do not recognise Jewish Israel! Sad, but even many priests are this kind of non-believer Christians. Also in history, one of the main reason to so called Christian antisemitism has also been unwillingness to acknowledge Christianity's roots in Judaism. True Christian believers should always bless Jewish Israel! Supporting Israel does not mean that you are against Palestinians as a human beings and that you accept all what Israel as an earthly state does. But Christians should not work against Israel, and especially against God's plans what comes to Israel!

I only hope that one day your words will be of the majority, not the minority.

Although I thank you for your thoughts, I must remind you that Jews tend to see things on a larger scale of time. Any speech by the Pope cannot be judged until much time has passed, to see if the Papacy stays the course, or reverts to it’s own history. It is good the Pope has spoken against horrific slaughters that are now happening. Yet he supports a Palestinian state, whose would-be founders promote slaughter, “but” of Jews first (Christians later). And if the Vatican has no military forces but only moral ones, then the moral ones should be that much stronger, and not kow-tow to “careful diplomacy” to the point of immorality. I know you sincerely believe that you know what the Pope “knows”. I value your opinion. But I cannot trust it, especially given the long history of the Papacy. Wishing you a meaningful Christmas.

Can't you control your bitterness and hatred for 1 day of the year and show some basic human respect for others? Merry Christmas to all.

Your German pope, whom you believe is God's mouthpiece on earth was in the Hitler youth...two tours I believe? His "ecumenical" two-faced speeches regarding peace are a sham, and I am so sorry that you and so many others are taken in by this false representation of the Christian belief system. Learn your history and doctrine so you can know what true peace actually entails for God's chosen people in Israel- the land He promised for them particularly.

......are the scourge of humanity. One only has to read posts here to know this.

...oh yes, from Australia I see. I've heard the anti-Jewish and anti-Christian sentiment there lately is so "evolved". Why do you even care to read Israeli news when you and others of your opinion must know involves religion quite often, as it has been the reason behind true scourges of anti-Semitic hatred and persecution for centuries. How about you just leave us alone in our "ignorance" and go read something which you have a clue about...like sports or cooking?

Like the Arabs did in 1973 #3 & #5 and don't forget the plight of many Christians across central Africa

That would be YOUR opinion. If you are Christian or Moslem, I can certainly feel your pain. I, too, would hate to ascribe to a religion that has left as much bloodstains across history as have Christianity and Islam. Being neither Christian nor Moslem, however, I don't have a problem.

"Let us pray that Israelis and Palestinians be able to live their lives in the peace of the one God and in freedom,"

Research is showing that the churches that subscribe to replacement theology are losing membership at 1 -4% per year as congregates leave going to Evangelical churches that love and support the State of Israel. The Pope is a huge disappointment to me as I did see the Catholics as making headway toward reconciling their past sins, which are many. Currently they can not even be consistent in the acknowledgment of the evils of Islam! Benedict seems to be only showing the turn the cheek crap, and not the strength of the Judeo-Christian philosophy.

Even a child knows that 2 wrongs don't make a right. And anybody reading many of the posts of above will observe the naked hatred for wrongs of the past and the perceived future. There will never be peace if this persists, regardless of the source. Of all people, Jews should know better.

....leaving bloodstains across history, very recent history at that. It should be obvious even to a blind man that I don't subscribe to any religion as adherents are forced to wear blinkers and sectarian turmoil will contribute to the downfall of mankind. You in particular are playing a prominent role.

I don't think Jews are offended by the message. I think they are offended that the Pope ignores that the "Pals" have no qualms in killing people (if they are Jews), teaching their children it is ok to be martyred, and refusing to budge one inch in their demands while at the same time saying that Israel must let in more arabs, but they will remain judenrein. It's very simple, really.

It is obvious, except to some, including graczek, split, and you, Robert, that many call Israeli/Jewish self-defense what it is, and you can't stand the thought. The arabs have begun every war in the ME. They killed American and French soldiers (and that's most recently). It's obvious you have blinders (not blinkers) on as you wish to play a prominent role in hatred.