JERUSALEM – The Palestinian Authority exploited Pope Benedict XVI's visit here this week for political gain and to wage propaganda attacks against Israel, particularly regarding sovereignty over Jerusalem, according to a study released yesterday.
"The PA has exploited Benedict's visit to Israel ... especially the sensitive [issue] of sovereignty over Jerusalem. According to PA-affiliated spokesmen, Israel's presence in eastern Jerusalem does not give it sovereignty or any other rights," states a report by the Terrorism and Information Center at Israel's Center for Special Studies.
Reuven Erlich, the center's director, said the purported exploitation by the PA extended to the pope's tour of Bethlehem yesterday.
"The pope was deliberately paraded in front of the security barrier to make a non-issue into an issue. Also [PA President] Mahmoud Abbas used his speech alongside the pope for pure propaganda purposes," said Erlich.
The center's study highlighted multiple aspects of Benedict's visit that were allegedly seized upon by the PA, including the pope's drive through eastern sections of Jerusalem, which the Palestinians claim for a state.
States the study: "[The PA] set up a media center alternative to that provided by the Israeli Government Press Office. They also criticized the hanging of Israeli flags along the routes taken by the pope to the eastern part of the city."
The study documented a public incident during a meeting between the pope and representatives of the Jewish, Christian and Islamic faiths in which the Palestinian representative present interrupted the media-saturated event to deliver a rant against Israel.
Chief Palestinian Justice Taysir Tamimi screamed out in a rising voice that "Israel destroys Palestinian cities and establishes settlements on Palestinian land."
Tamimi said Jerusalem "will remain the capital of a Palestinian state." He pleaded with the pope to fight for "a just peace for a Palestinian state and for Israel to stop killing women and children and destroying mosques as she did in Gaza."
The Vatican's spokesman condemned Tamimi's statements. Still, the accusations in such as public forum garnered international media attention.
Â
Special offers:
"The Late Great State of Israel"
Definitive work on Mideast – available only here!
"Everlasting Hatred: The Roots of Jihad"
"The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades)"
"Myths and Facts: A Guide to the Arab-Israeli Conflict"
Perfect gift! Compass that points to Jerusalem
Â
Previous story:
Pope in Bethlehem: A missed opportunity
Â