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Jerusalem violence, rain put damper on Bethlehem Christmas

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By JALAL HASSAN and IMAD ISSEID

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Even Christians in Jerusalem and Palestine, including Christ's birthplace Bethlehem, don't support the Jerusalem move:

http://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/12/22/17/for-palestinian-christians-trump-is-christmas-killjoy

Trump's announcement was the fulfillment of a campaign promise which was particularly important to evangelical Christian supporters -- with Pence included among them.

The evangelical Christian movement is overwhelmingly supportive of Israel, whose founding they see as the fulfillment of biblical prophecy.

The irony that American Christian support is one of the driving factors in Trump's embassy move is not lost on Palestinian Christians.

"The essence of the Bible is freedom, not slavery, liberation not occupation,"

"Unfortunately Trump and his people are sacrificing the Palestinian Christians for their political agenda."

5 ( +6 / -1 )

By declaring that the US recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and announcing the eventual move of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Trump has incited protests, violence, and unhappiness throughout Palestine and the middle east. Trump's unnecessary, unthoughtful actions have once again made a bad situation worse. I guess it's his way of sending a holiday message to the world. The Grinch and Scrooge could take mean lessons from Trump.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

First of all who gives a dam weather or not Trump states Jerusalem is the capital or Israel? Just because HE says it is doesn't mean it actually is. These idiots are just using his words as a means to "protest" and cause unnecessary chaos and mayhem. This is just plain retarded of them to be acting like a bunch of little kids arguing over something like this. It's just stupid. Just because one man says something, just because the president of america says something doesn't mean nothing. These people really need to get their sh!t together because this is ridicules.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

trump is responsible for deaths and injuries and should be held accountable, as well as his son in law. but, as it is america, the world will rot and he can take up oil painting when he retires like Bush.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

By declaring that the US recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and announcing the eventual move of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Trump has incited protests, violence, and unhappiness throughout Palestine and the middle east.

What about the Israelis, they’re not allowed to be happy within their own country?

Trump's unnecessary, unthoughtful actions have once again made a bad situation worse.

That’s one opinion, I think he made a lot of people happy.

I guess it's his way of sending a holiday message to the world. The Grinch and Scrooge could take mean lessons from Trump.

Now, I think he just has a brass pair and did what the last 3 Presidents said should happen with never having the intention on fulfilling their political pledge, shame on them, at least the President kept his word. So if he breaks his promise you guys hate him, he keeps his word, you guys hate him. Y’all need to stop with the hate, it’s Christmas.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

bass4funkToday  11:30 am JST

What about the Israelis, they’re not allowed to be happy within their own country?

What an incongruous comment. Now I don't pretend to know what makes Israeli people unhappy in general, but having spoken to American Jews who spent time in Israel for devotional reasons, the topic of where the US embassy is located never came up as an issue. The risk of being hit in a random terror attack or mortar strike, yeah, that was a big source of unhappiness for them while they were there. A lot of Israelis have been on the streets protesting corruption in the Netanyahu government, too, so I imagine that rates somewhere on the unhappiness scale. Where the US's embassy is... well, if that was an issue for them, I'd imagine we'd have heard complaints about it before. But again, I have very limited connection to Israel so I don't claim to know what Israelis want - but then I have no reason to think you know any better. And in that regard...

Now, I think he just has a brass pair

I am willing to bet with absolute certainty that the Israeli people's happiness is not in the slightest way affected by your opinion of the POTUS's testicles.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The Jerusalem Embassy Act was passed by a significant bipartisan majority back in 1995. It was unanimously reaffirmed by the Senate in 2017.

The Jerusalem Embassy Act states as a matter of US policy that:

1) Jerusalem should remain an undivided city in which the rights of every ethnic and religious are protected;

2) Jerusalem should be recognized as the capital of the State of Israel; and

3) the United States Embassy in Israel should be established in Jerusalem no later than May 31, 1999

This law has been on the books for a long time, long before Trump. If people have a bone to pick over this issue then it should be with the American people and their elected representatives in Congress. But Trump is an easy target, too easy in fact. Some people just go to the “Trump Card” first and don’t really bother to look beyond that. It’s like hyperbole is far more satisfying than reality so it becomes the go to position on everytime.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

This law has been on the books for a long time, long before Trump

Correct. It has never been enforced for good reason: to not inflame the situation. Foreign policy is the prerogative of the executive. The more sophisticated executives have allowed it to be a win-win. You got your law, but we'll try to appear somewhat unbiased so won't enforce that law

.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

This move by Trump has really been paying benefits to the US.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

This move by Trump has really been paying benefits to the US.

Unbelievable benefits. Losing credibility with other nations in the area. Handing Russia more influence. It's MAGA by giving up more influence so othe nations can take the driver's seat. Brilliant.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Past presidents said Jerusalem should be or will be the capital, but hose were statements that were part of a larger peace agreement, not a unilateral action. Bush could be called the exception.

Besides, we can already see the impact of the decision. The peace process is officially dead. If you support the move but can't accept the reality of your decision, then you're part of the problem.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Correct. It has never been enforced for good reason: to not inflame the situation. Foreign policy is the prerogative of the executive. The more sophisticated executives have allowed it to be a win-win. You got your law, but we'll try to appear somewhat unbiased so won't enforce that law

Keep digging.

Past presidents said Jerusalem should be or will be the capital, but hose were statements that were part of a larger peace agreement, not a unilateral action. Bush could be called the exception.

Then none of these 3 Presidents should have opened their mouths if they were going to back slide and not mean it. Either it’s ok to lie, cheat and give people the illusion of hope or you keep your campaign promise and inact that what you promised you are going to do especially in a very sensitive topic with this.

Besides, we can already see the impact of the decision. The peace process is officially dead. If you support the move but can't accept the reality of your decision, then you're part of the problem.

One side would look it it like that, there’s another side that doesn’t think so.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Keep digging.

If that's what you want to call it.

Then none of these 3 Presidents should have opened their mouths if they were going to back slide and not mean it. Either it’s ok to lie, cheat and give people the illusion of hope or you keep your campaign promise and inact [sic] that what you promised you are going to do especially in a very sensitive topic with this.

Then we are in agreement that Trump is also a backsliding liar because of all the campaign promises he has failed to keep like releasing his tax returns. Kuddos!

One side would look it it like that, there’s another side that doesn’t think so.

It doesn't matter what the other side thinks bevause it is a fact that the peace process is now dead. Facts do not depend on political leanings.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

That’s one opinion, I think he made a lot of people happy.

It's a fact that Trump's decision has made a bad situation worse, not an opinion.

Now, I think he just has a brass pair and did what the last 3 Presidents said should happen with never having the intention on fulfilling their political pledge, shame on them, at least the President kept his word

On this one point Trump kept his word. What about the other campaign promises that he's failed to deliver on like repealing and replacing Obama care with something better? Where's that wall Mexico will pay for?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The Most Rev. Msgr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the apostolic administrator of Jerusalem, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, crossed through an Israeli military checkpoint to enter Bethlehem from Jerusalem. His black limousine was escorted by a group of men on motorcycles, some of them wearing red Santa hats.

Nice choice of transportation.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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