President Barack Obama -- in his first visit to a mosque in the United States -- said today (February 3, 2016) he was seeking to rebut "inexcusable political rhetoric against Muslim-Americans" from Republican presidential candidates, the CNN website reports.
"Let me say as clearly as I can as president of the United States: You fit right here," Obama told the audience at the Islamic Society of Baltimore, a 47-year-old mosque with thousands of attendees. "You're right where you belong. You're part of America too. You're not Muslim or American. You're Muslim and American."
As he decried GOP counter-terror plans that would single out Muslims for extra scrutiny -- and prevent Muslims from entering the United States in an effort to eliminate terrorist attacks -- Obama insisted that applying religious screens would only amplify messages coming from terrorist groups.
"We can't be bystanders to bigotry," Obama said. "Together, we've got to show that America truly protects all faiths. As we protect our country from terrorism, we should not reinforce the ideas and the rhetoric of the terrorists themselves."
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Israeli Police Officer, 19, Dies from Palest. Attack; Another Officer in Serious Condition from Attack
One of two Israeli Border Police officers seriously injured in an attack by three Palestinian assailants in Jerusalem today (February 3, 2016) has died, according to the JTA (Jewish Telegraphic Agency) website.
Hadar Cohen, 19, of Or Yehuda in central Israel, died just hours after she was critically wounded today near the Old City, outside the Damascus Gate. She had recently joined the Border Police and was still in training.
The assailants -- who entered Israel illegally from the Jenin area in the West Bank -- were shot and killed by other officers, according to police.
Like Cohen, the other injured officer was taken to Hadassah Hospital at Mount Scopus. A hospital spokesman said the officer, 18, was in serious condition, having received stab wounds across her body, including her head.
Hadar Cohen, 19, of Or Yehuda in central Israel, died just hours after she was critically wounded today near the Old City, outside the Damascus Gate. She had recently joined the Border Police and was still in training.
The assailants -- who entered Israel illegally from the Jenin area in the West Bank -- were shot and killed by other officers, according to police.
Like Cohen, the other injured officer was taken to Hadassah Hospital at Mount Scopus. A hospital spokesman said the officer, 18, was in serious condition, having received stab wounds across her body, including her head.
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
France Flattens Church Serving Refugees in Calais; French Said Space Needed for Camp Security Zone
French police bulldozed a church serving Christian refugees yesterday in a camp called "the jungle" in the city of Calais, the Christian Broadcast Network website reports today (February 2, 2016).
The French said clearing the space was necessary to create a security zone around the camp.
The Rev. Teferi Shuremo clashed with police holding riot shields as excavation machines crushed the structure.
Officials also tore down an abandoned mosque in the area yesterday. The Calais camp holds some 4,000 refugees from Syria and other countries.
The French said clearing the space was necessary to create a security zone around the camp.
The Rev. Teferi Shuremo clashed with police holding riot shields as excavation machines crushed the structure.
Officials also tore down an abandoned mosque in the area yesterday. The Calais camp holds some 4,000 refugees from Syria and other countries.
Pope Warns Gossiping Clergy: "Bite Your Tongue;" Describes "Anarchy" as the "Daughter of the Devil"
Pope Francis told gossip-loving priests and nuns yesterday to bite their tongues, and warned those breaking their vow of obedience to fall into line quickly, the AFP (Agence France-Presse) website reports today (February 2, 2016).
"If you get an urge to say something against a brother or a sister, to drop a gossip bomb, bite your tongue! Hard!" the pontiff said in an improvised speech to members of the clergy, marking the end of the Year of Consecrated Life.
The pope warned against those abusing their religious vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, describing "anarchy" as the "daughter of the devil."
The Roman Catholic Church is still suffering from the clerical sex abuse scandal, which hurt the institution globally and saw many believers -- particularly in the West -- turn their back on the centuries-old institution.
"If you get an urge to say something against a brother or a sister, to drop a gossip bomb, bite your tongue! Hard!" the pontiff said in an improvised speech to members of the clergy, marking the end of the Year of Consecrated Life.
The pope warned against those abusing their religious vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, describing "anarchy" as the "daughter of the devil."
The Roman Catholic Church is still suffering from the clerical sex abuse scandal, which hurt the institution globally and saw many believers -- particularly in the West -- turn their back on the centuries-old institution.
Poll:French Blame Jews for Rise in Anti-Semitism; Most Believe Jews Powerful, Richer Than Average
According to a new poll by the Ipsos market research team, 60 percent of Frenchmen believe that Jews bear some responsibility for the recent rise in anti-Semitism, the Jerusalem Post website reports today (February 2, 2016).
The 18-month study -- sponsored by the Foundation of French Judaism -- also found that 56 percent of Frenchmen believe that Jews have a "lot of power" and are richer than average, while more than 40 percent said Jews are "a little too present in the media."
Anti-Semitism and a worsening economy have driven many French Jews to seek their fortune abroad during the past year, with many leaving for Montreal, London, and other cities.
Jews are not perceived as troublemakers in France. Prejudices against Muslims are much higher. More Jews and Muslims live in France than any other country in Europe.
The 18-month study -- sponsored by the Foundation of French Judaism -- also found that 56 percent of Frenchmen believe that Jews have a "lot of power" and are richer than average, while more than 40 percent said Jews are "a little too present in the media."
Anti-Semitism and a worsening economy have driven many French Jews to seek their fortune abroad during the past year, with many leaving for Montreal, London, and other cities.
Jews are not perceived as troublemakers in France. Prejudices against Muslims are much higher. More Jews and Muslims live in France than any other country in Europe.
Monday, February 1, 2016
Defense Dept.Wants More Troops in Iraq, Syria; Hundreds More US Troops Needed to Defeat IS
Hundreds of additional forces -- including trainers, advisers, and commandos -- are needed in the fight against the Islamic State (IS), Pentagon top brass has conceded, prompting Department of Defense officials to urge the White House to approve further deployments to Iraq and Syria in the next few weeks, the Washington Times website reports today (February 1, 2016).
Defense Department officials told the White House that the U.S.-led effort to destroy the Islamic State requires still more manpower in addition to the roughly 3,700 American troops already in Iraq.
Admission from the Obama administration that more troops are needed followed recent remarks from Defense Department officials who expressed a desire to adjust U.S. operations abroad.
"We're looking for opportunities to do more," Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told CNN in an interview last week. "We're not looking to substitute for local forces in terms of governing the place and policing the place."
Defense Department officials told the White House that the U.S.-led effort to destroy the Islamic State requires still more manpower in addition to the roughly 3,700 American troops already in Iraq.
Admission from the Obama administration that more troops are needed followed recent remarks from Defense Department officials who expressed a desire to adjust U.S. operations abroad.
"We're looking for opportunities to do more," Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told CNN in an interview last week. "We're not looking to substitute for local forces in terms of governing the place and policing the place."
Israeli Teens Indicted for Vandalizing Church; Graffiti on Walls Included "Christians to Hell"
The Jerusalem District Court indicted three Jewish teens yesterday for vandalizing a Jerusalem church with anti-Christian graffiti in January, the Times of Israel website reports today (February 1, 2016).
The three -- aged 16 and 15 -- were charged with religiously motivated destruction of property for the vandalism incident on January 16, which included the phrases "Christians to Hell," and "Death to the heathen Christians, the enemies of Israel," daubed on the walls of the Dormition Abbey.
Although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli lawmakers, and several rabbis condemned the incident, a spokesperson for the local Catholic Church denounced the lack of measures taken by authorities to stop the increasing number of hate crimes against Christians and churches in Israel in recent years.
"Despite promises by the government, these incidents continue to take place," Wadia Abu Nasser, the executive director of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops in the Holy Land, said at the time. "If we were to actually count all these incidents, they'd be in the hundreds."
The three -- aged 16 and 15 -- were charged with religiously motivated destruction of property for the vandalism incident on January 16, which included the phrases "Christians to Hell," and "Death to the heathen Christians, the enemies of Israel," daubed on the walls of the Dormition Abbey.
Although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli lawmakers, and several rabbis condemned the incident, a spokesperson for the local Catholic Church denounced the lack of measures taken by authorities to stop the increasing number of hate crimes against Christians and churches in Israel in recent years.
"Despite promises by the government, these incidents continue to take place," Wadia Abu Nasser, the executive director of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops in the Holy Land, said at the time. "If we were to actually count all these incidents, they'd be in the hundreds."
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