Freedom of Religion in Gaza

Palestinians torch synagogues in former Gaza settlements

Palestinians moved into the evacuated Gaza Strip settlement of Morag before dawn Monday, after Israel Defense Forces troops pulled out of the area, and set the synagogue on fire. Huge flames leapt into the sky.

Palestinians also set fire to synagogues in the evacuated settlements of Netzarim and Kfar Darom.

In one of the synagogues, gunmen climbed on the roof and waved flags of militant groups, including Hamas, shouting "God is great."

Hours earlier, the Palestinian Interior Ministry spokesman said the Palestinian Authority would destroy the synagogues left behind in Gaza by evacuating IDF troops.

All remaining buildings in the evacuated Jewish settlements would be destroyed except for the hothouses, the spokesman, Tawfiq Abu Khoussa, told The Associated Press.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli government voted not to demolish the synagogues. The Palestinians expressed dismay at the Israeli decision, saying it puts them in an impossible position because they may be criticized for destroying houses of worship but at the same time they need the space for their development plans for post-Israel Gaza.

"It's better for us and for you to destory the synagogues," Jibril Rajoub, the PA chairman's security adviser, told Israel Radio on Sunday. "I think the synagogues are symbols of the occupation."

Earlier on Sunday, the government voted 14-2 against demolishing the some two dozen synagogues in the evacuated Gaza settlements.

[razrif]

promise me you'll buck up

Originally posted by razrif
promise me you'll buck up

Women that don't wear underwear with their skirts REALLY turn me on. Love your pic.

[rocam]

Netzarim's former synagogue was one of 25 in Gaza abandoned intact. The Israeli Army had demolished all the houses. Just as the sun was rising a Palestinian bulldozer began clawing at its walls. The flash of a camera brought troops and police crowding round the culprit. "You can watch but you can't take pictures," warned a young army officer. "This place is a problem for us. They [the Israelis] want people to see us destroying it, so it will look bad for us."
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/syn...?oneclick=true

This has nothing to do with freedom of religion. Settlers and the Israeli army had already burned and destroyed all the houses so no Palestinian could enjoy free housing. After destroying countless Palestinian homes the least they could have done was to leave the houses intact but that’s a whole other subject. They left their synagogues intact because as Jews they could not destroy their holy places of worship. So since no Jews will be praying in those synagogues there’s no reason why those buildings should stay.

Originally posted by rocam

This has nothing to do with freedom of religion. Settlers and the Israeli army had already burned and destroyed all the houses so no Palestinian could enjoy free housing. After destroying countless Palestinian homes the least they could have done was to leave the houses intact but that’s a whole other subject. They left their synagogues intact because as Jews they could not destroy their holy places of worship. So since no Jews will be praying in those synagogues there’s no reason why those buildings should stay.
[/b]

Rocam, you are right. Many houses have been destroyed by the settlers and I don't know why? But then there is a lot of hatred and bigotry in that region, and it is why I usually refrain myself from commenting on events that happen over there.

[voltaires_priest]

Originally posted by rocam
This has nothing to do with freedom of religion. Settlers and the Israeli army had already burned and destroyed all the houses so no Palestinian could enjoy free housing. After destroying countless Palestinian homes the least they could have done was to leave the houses intact but that’s a whole other subject. They left their synagogues intact because as Jews they could not destroy their holy places of worship. So since no Jews will be praying in those synagogues there’s no reason why those buildings should stay.

Out of curiosity, if a group of Jews burned down an empty Mosque, would you be OK with it?



V

[rocam]

No religious person would like to see his or her house of worship destroyed.

They have already destroyed countless numbers of mosques and shot at people praying inside of them so the above doesn’t even compare.