AP reports that five churches in the West Bank and Gaza were attacked today in response to recent comments by Pope Benedict XVI who condemned Islamic fanaticism. The pope somewhat backtracked in the face of Muslim criticism.
Today’s attacks weren’t limited to Catholic institutions. Pictured is the firebombed gate of an Anglican church in Nablus. And the Jerusalem Post reports that a previously unknown group calling itself the Swords of the Islamic Right threatened to attack all Christian institutions in Gaza. Christians make up approximately 10 percent of the West Bank population. An estimated 2,000 live in the Gaza Strip.
UPDATE 9/17: In addition to condemning the violent Muslim reaction, today’s Jerusalem Post reports that Christian leaders also blame the media for distorting the pope’s speech.
