Father Raymond J. De Souza accuses PA leaders of freezing Palestinian Christians out of the recent unity talks. The reason? The talks were held in Mecca, which is barred to non-Muslims. See the National Post, where Father De Souza points out:
Media reports were remarkably silent on the question of holding the Palestinian summit in a city where Palestinian Christians — a small minority, but historically active in Palestinian leadership — are barred by law. Perhaps a waiver was given to allow non-Muslims to temporarily enter, perhaps not. Perhaps the Christians were hustled through the airport on diplomatic passports; perhaps they were whisked through in disguise. Perhaps they converted before the summit; or perhaps they were just left at home. In two weeks of heavy media coverage, I have not seen the issue addressed.
Perhaps it is now simply accepted that the Palestinian question is to be understood as an exclusively Islamic question. In the last year, I have written twice in these pages about the Islamification of Palestinian politics, as the cause has been transformed from a nationalist project to a religious one. The Mecca summit would seem to confirm that this is now quasiofficial policy.
Father De Souza may have an unlikely ally.
(Hat tip: Headlines & Deadlines)
