Report: Jumblat Urges Maronite Action over Rahi's Jerusalem Visit
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat has reportedly asked Christian political leaders to stop Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi from visiting the Holy Land despite the insistence of the cardinal that he was backing the Palestinian cause.
Al-Liwaa newspaper said Tuesday that Jumblat made the appeal during the national dialogue session that was chaired by President Michel Suleiman at Baabda Palace a day earlier.
The PSP leader, who is also the head of the National Struggle Front bloc, asked the conferees to keep his statement confidential and not reveal it to the media.
According to the daily, most Maronite leaders oppose the visit of al-Rahi, who will accompany Pope Francis to Jerusalem later this month.
The leaders are awaiting the patriarch's return from his visit to France to discuss the possibility of canceling the Holy Land trip, it said.
But al-Rahi reiterated in remarks to An Nahar daily that his visit was not aimed at consolidating the Israeli occupation.
“I want to stress that this is our land … You want the Palestinian cause? Then I m going there to tell them that we support you and we are at your side,” al-Rahi said.
“Jerusalem is our city. Enough criticism. This is a shame,” he said.
On Monday, the patriarch urged the Lebanese to resolve their problems rather than create new ones.
Al-Rahi regretted that “some Lebanese wanted to create problems out of nothing.”
Bkirki officials said the patriarch would avoid political meetings during his trip and would not seek to normalize ties with Israel.
06 May 2014, 08:31
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“I want to stress that this is our land … You want the Palestinian cause? Then I m going there to tell them that we support you and we are at your side,” al-Rahi said.
“Jerusalem is our city. Enough criticism. This is a shame,” he said.
such beautiful words ya batrak! the rest claim that their weapons are to liberate palestine and jerusalem and even have yawm al qods but it is all for propaganda!
06 May 2014, 08:01
05
They say for religious people not to interfere in politics, so we must also say for politicians not to interfere in Religion.
06 May 2014, 10:13
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WJ a thief, a traitor and a caitiff tries to hide his shame by assuming patriotic stances
06 May 2014, 10:41
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Cardinal Rahi is the Patriarch of Antioch and the East. Just as he is responsible for the Maronites and Catholics in Syria and Southern Turkey, he is also responsible for the Maronite parishes in Palestine and Israel and all Maronites around the world. Lebanese Maronite monks and priests regularly travel to Israel for pilgrimage and holy retreats. The mar Maroun guest house is the official Maronite residence for pilgrims and church officials.
So mr jumblatt why don't you mind your own business and have all the Druze stop joining the IDF in record high numbers.
06 May 2014, 11:13
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If the Patriarch wants to go and visit Palestine so what .Palestine is our land .
06 May 2014, 14:01
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Mr. Jumblat, have you by any chance gone short of causes? You do know well Mr. Jumblat that clerics are allowed to go to the holy land and practice there, so what is it that is so wrong with His Eminence's visit? Let H.E go wherever he wishes to go, as long as the law allows him to do so, you should just mind your own business dear Walid. As concerns the Palestinian cause, you are part of a long line of people who have over used and over abused what was once a cause. Please, get off the Patriarch's back will you?
06 May 2014, 15:27
03
+1, la cause palestinienne est le fonds de commerce de tant de menteurs.
Isn't Jumby that always talks of realpolitik and balance of power ?
Lets be realistic, Israel is here to stay for a while, lets accept...
06 May 2014, 16:29
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It is silly and childish to have the political parties in Lebanon to attempt to restrain and constrain the Maronite Patriarch's travels. He is going to minister to the Christians in Palestine? What do you think, that he is going to minister to the Jewish people? Think of the lift to the Palestinian Christians, the first Christians to see the church leaders among them again, giving them credibility as belonging to that land. You want to deny the Palestinian Christians this great honor??
06 May 2014, 18:32
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I think that the Batrak needs to go to Israel AND talk to the Israelis and see if we can find some common ground to build peace on. It makes more sense to try to reason with your enemy, when the other option is perpetual conflict.
06 May 2014, 22:02
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Jean Bollat hypocracy again. How many palestinian camps in druz hinterland since 1948? Zero. When you're the best friend of Shimon Peres and always meet him during the international socialist conference, you should avoid giving anti-sionist lessons.
07 May 2014, 07:57
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We ask Walid J:
How about the Khelwat between Lebanese and Israeli Druze?
07 May 2014, 10:34
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Better for Einsteinblatt to dissuade his fellow creatures from serving in Tsahal (you know, the zionist enemy)
The same goes for his fellows/foes & calfmaniacs Arslan & Wahhab
