Heavens, I don't agree with too much of anything Ray writes, but most Americans are unaware that there are Arab Christians. It has nothing to do with education or how smart a person is, but the overall misconception is that the majority of the people thinks Arabs are only Muslims. They never stop to think who was actually living in Bethlehem all these years. It falls into line with many other misconceptions about the Middle East and all Palestinian Israeli issues. The problem is that Ray wants to be a good guy with everyone, sort of like a middle-man, instead of taking a stand on what he should know in his heart is morally and ethically wrong as to the way his own people are treated.

Who are a huge part of the people in Israel? They are Americans! And your existence , including all those who you claim are "us," is paid for out of the pockets of the American taxpayers, and don't ever forget it Mr. Dudu. (Hmmmm are you saying something about yourself with that name?)

I would agree with you by saying that ignorant does not always mean a person is stupid or lacking education, but many times refers to people being unaware or uninformed, and in most Palestinian/Israel issues, it is all about being MISINFORMED, a good job of what you're trying to do here, and the fact that you've lived in Israel means nothing to me. The only thing you're doing is repeating the same old Zionist dialogue that has become rather out of date Now there's a few things that you don't know and haven't learned yet. The first thing is your reference about "other Jews, Americans, Europeans. Why do you separate in this case Jews from Americans and Europeans as though being Jewish was a nationality when it's only a religion. Are there not American Jews and European Jews? Too bad that you fault the Palestinian people for having too many children on their own land! I'm not even sure I would know how to classify a remark such as that. My best advice to you is to read up on the laws, and you'll learn that the law is with the Palestinians. Other Arab countries are not responsible for the Palestinian people to provide land or dwellings to them, nor do Palestinians wish to leave their lands to live anywhere else, nor do they have to, as much as Israel would like that and does impose a way of life that it hopes would lead to their departure. Too bad when you lived in Isael you didn't take a trip to the occupied territories and witness the daily brutalities that all Palestinian are subjected to regardless of their ages of gender.

Ray, you just have to come up with better material for your weekly columns, such as these made-up conversations you had at Wal-Mart.. For instance, why would anyone even question you about your identity when you don't even have an accent. You have to make this a little bit realistic. Now, I'm not trying to promote you or become your manager, but from your demo tape (link below) you sound like just one of da guys to me!! I can understand someone questioning Jackie Mason if they couldn't figure it out on their own...but c'mon man... gimme a break! http://www.hanania.com/HananiaDemo.rm

Ray did marry an American, and she happens to be Jewish, which means that his wife has automatic citizenship to Israel, and that she is one of "us" (meaning one of "you"), but Ray being of Palestinian origin has no rights nor does his family who I think come from Bethlehem. Now I happen to be one of "us" also but I have no desire to live in your racist state nor do I want to take the space up that should be for a Palestinian who was thrown out because he wasn't one of "us" Mr. "Dudu." .

Kate answered your main question but I would like to correct a little inaccuracy. The original Christians were indeed Jews. They were not Arabs or Palestinains or anyof that sort because they did not originate in the Arabisn penisula. I would guess by your name that indeed your ancestors were Jews and were converted somewhere along the way either originally or perhaps during the Crusades. If you consider yourself an Arab it is because somewhere along the way, some Bedouin crossed paths with one of your Christian or Jewish relatives. Merry Christmas. If your dad wants to return to Jerusalem, let him reconvert back to Judaism or else stay where you are.

It's absolutely funny that you joined us here in the USA but all you have to offer, is to keep blowing yourself up, to your own people. Of course you can claim that you didn't say that. By implying that they stay in their situation, you might as well have enough guts to do so. While I do, as Mr. Wilson suggested, live in another country to benefit my family, I certainly don't suggest that my fellow Arabs get a clue, and advocate for themselves, moving here to do the same. Come on, go see the crappy conditions in the ghettos? I already know they are living in crappy conditions. That's why I gave them the same option that you have taken for your own family. Even you know that there is plenty of land in the USA. And yes, it's not the Arab countries job to help their own religious brothers. Why is that? Is it so much easier for you, and all the get out of the territory crowd, to arm-chair quarterback your fellow countrymen into a suicide belt. At least I am offering the same options that you have used to better your life. I don't see much coming from the Arab countries, or yourself, other than, more of the same. The United States had 30 million citizens in 1860. Now we have 300 million. It would be damn crowded if we tried to put them all in New York. The point being, just because the palestinians decided to procreate there way out of there problems, to out number the Israeli's, doesn't mean they gotta give you all the land back. Just like the Europeans and yourself, aren't gonna give my American Indian self ,back my land. By the way, you are welcome to live on my land. I've bought my own, just like you bought your's. At least offer the same to your own countrymen. I'm not the one implying that thay blow themselves up by offering no hope. I think their fellow Arabs sending them reward money for blowing themselves up are offering them nothing. Just death. If you really want to go back in your history, since you aren't ignorant, why not tell the jews that you took their land from them way back yonder. And you're not gonna share any because Allah told you so. Isn't that the real truth. It's just one big rascist football being kicked back and forth.

This guy Lois D is saying that he is Jewish. Whereas you seem to think he is Palestinian. May i respectfully suggest that you do not "get on the computer" after returning from "drinks down at the local bar"? PS: Lois D. screw you man, you talk absolute kaka.

Jesus and all his apostles were Jewish. Is there anything that the Arabs don't lie about?

I don't say what people want to hear, just what they need to hear ... you may not think it funny or even can tolerate it, but that's the way it is. I guess some people don't agree with me. What else is new? But, the first Christians were Jews and the first Christians were Arabs, too. Most Jews don't like to hear that like "Daisy," because it undermines her racial claim to Palestine -- that it is for Jews only. And, the Arabs, especially the Muslims don't like to hear that because Muslims only treat Christians slightly better than the Israelis treat them. Still, I love the exchange. I'd rather sit with all of you arguing than the way most of you often do it: sitting with your friends who agree and patting yourself on the back all claiming you are right. You're not all right. In fact, many of you are wrong. But, tolerance is the key. I can tolerate your views. They don't bother me at all. And, I think as a writer I should participate in the dialogue and not pretend I am any better than any of you. I'm not. Just one person with one opinion. Doesn't make a lot of friends. But the truth never does. :) Ray Hanania www.hanania.com

It wouldn't matter if he was a Monkey Gil. He's living on my American Indian land and I get along with him fine. In fact he's welcome. Now I can understand the fact that you pretty much hate the jerkoffs that shoot rockets at you every day. I have no problem with that. But what about the Palestinians who would be happy to get the hell out of there predicament. The ones that are sick of living in a dump basically. Why shouldn't I encourage them to get out of a bad situation. They don't have to live with terrorists if they have an option. The Arabs or Israeli's obviously aren't going to help them. They might as well move somewhere where they can have a better life. You even know the other Palestinians won't stop attacking you. Why should they stay in that environment. There should of been a lot more of my help during WW2. At least the Jews could of gotten away from the German's, as well as the innocent Arabs from the PLO and Hamas. As for my drinking, I don't drink. You are welcome to move here as well, if it ever gets so bad that you chose to do so.

Shalom Orly, Thanks for posting the slideshow; it offered many interesting and educational details... Hag Sameach.

This is the most simple and profound. Every Palestinian need to read this if he wants to have better life. This E-Mail should be on every Palestinian mirror!

The word "ignorant" means a lack of knowledge or education. It doesn't mean a person is stupid. Stupid is a stupid word. Ignorant gives a person who doesn't know the benefit of the doubt that they don't know because they are not educated about a topic. When someone says "I can't believe you abandoned your Christian faith to become an Arab," I would like to believe it is the epitomy of ignorance in that context. To call someone stupid is really insulting and if I have ever used the word, I apologize now ... (maybe in jest, but even then, it would not be right.). I don't think I have. In English, Americans also use the word "stupid" to refer to something "ridiculous" as a description rather than as a human trait. Anyway, I hope that answers the mini-mini debate here. Oh, and Goldman, from Maryland ... are you schizophrenic or what? Ray Hanania www.hanania.com