Three Jewish attackers disguised as pilgrims began throwing firecrackers inside one of Christianity's holiest sites Friday, police said, sparking a r

[almaty 19]

NAZARETH, Israel - Three Jewish attackers disguised as pilgrims began throwing firecrackers inside one of Christianity's holiest sites Friday, police said, sparking a riot in this biblical town in northern Israel.

At least seven people were injured as police struggled to bring the situation under control.

Officials said the attackers were disguised as Christian pilgrims when they entered the Basilica of the Annunciation and threw the firecrackers.

The attackers remained barricaded in the church in the Israeli-Arab town late Friday, as several thousand angry protesters blocked police from entering.

Rescue workers said at least two people were wounded in the unrest, and others suffered from tear gas inhalation. Five police officers also were injured, officials said.

Police said the attackers remained inside the church, and the crowd prevented police from entering the building to arrest them. Two or three people were believed to be inside, officials said.

When an ambulance arrived, the crowd attacked the vehicle, breaking windows and forcing it to turn away. Police said special commando units were being dispatched to the scene.

Dan Ronen, the police chief for northern Israel, said the three attackers were Jewish, though a motive for the attack remained unclear. He said his forces were still trying to get the three people — believed to be a man and two women — out of the church.

The church is at the site where Christians believe the Angel Gabriel appeared before the Virgin Mary and foretold the birth of Jesus.

Nazareth, the boyhood town of Jesus, is in northern Israel. It is inhabited by Christian and Muslim Arabs and religious tensions have boiled over in the past, with the two sides in a dispute over attempts to build a mosque next to the church.

Israeli Arabs make up about 20 percent of Israel's population.

While they are entitled to Israeli citizenship, in contrast to Palestinian residents of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Arabs complain of systematic discrimination at the hands of the Jewish majority.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

... the crowd prevented police from entering the building to arrest them.

[...]

When an ambulance arrived, the crowd attacked the vehicle, breaking windows and forcing it to turn away.

I don't get it. Why won't the mob let the cops arrest them?

Dan Ronen, the police chief for northern Israel, said the three attackers were Jewish, though a motive for the attack remained unclear.

Motive remains unclear? Maybe they should ask the mob that appears to be trying to protect them.

Israeli Arabs make up about 20 percent of Israel's population.

While they are entitled to Israeli citizenship, in contrast to Palestinian residents of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Arabs complain of systematic discrimination at the hands of the Jewish majority.

Now I'm more confused. What do Arabs have to do with this story?

[almaty 19]

hell, i was confused too..wanted to post it cause i did not want our jewish vjers to be neglected......

[Saddle Bronc 124]

... the crowd prevented police from entering the building to arrest them.

[...]

When an ambulance arrived, the crowd attacked the vehicle, breaking windows and forcing it to turn away.

I don't get it. Why won't the mob let the cops arrest them?

Maybe they wanted to beat the tar out of the attackers first?

Dan Ronen, the police chief for northern Israel, said the three attackers were Jewish, though a motive for the attack remained unclear.

Motive remains unclear? Maybe they should ask the mob that appears to be trying to protect them.

There are non-Messianic Jewish organisations which could be considered the Israeli Jewish equivalent of RSS/VHP--maybe they were members of one of these?

Israeli Arabs make up about 20 percent of Israel's population.

While they are entitled to Israeli citizenship, in contrast to Palestinian residents of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Arabs complain of systematic discrimination at the hands of the Jewish majority.

Now I'm more confused. What do Arabs have to do with this story?

About 80% of nominal Christians in Israel are Arab (the other 20% Messianic Jewish).

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

There are non-Messianic Jewish organisations ...

[...]

About 80% of nominal Christians in Israel are Arab (the other 20% Messianic Jewish).

What is the difference between a Messianic and non-Messianic Jew?

[Saddle Bronc 124]

There are non-Messianic Jewish organisations ...

[...]

About 80% of nominal Christians in Israel are Arab (the other 20% Messianic Jewish).

What is the difference between a Messianic and non-Messianic Jew?

Non Messianic Jews only recognise the Old Testament (not New) as scripture, and do not recognise Jesus as their awaited Messiah (despite of evidence contained within the OT--which passages many rabbis are known to forbid the reading of), where Messianic Jews accept Him (and NT).

Edited March 3, 2006 by sriniv

[almaty 19]

There are non-Messianic Jewish organisations ...

[...]

About 80% of nominal Christians in Israel are Arab (the other 20% Messianic Jewish).

What is the difference between a Messianic and non-Messianic Jew?

Non Messianic Jews only recognise the Old Testament (not New) as scripture, and do not recognise Jesus as their awaited Messiah (despite of evidence contained within the OT--which passages many rabbis are known to forbid the reading of), where Messianic Jews accept Him (and NT).

like Jews for Jesus..the star of david with a cross on top of it??

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

firecrackers?

[almaty 19]

yeah, firecrackers..don't hey have bombs over there?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

yeah, firecrackers..don't hey have bombs over there?

Bombs? In the Middle East? Never happen!

[Mirorgate 0]

"Nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure."

[almaty 19]

"Nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure."

a great line for sure

[mikeize 0]

A refreshing change of news story if you ask me...

I've heard that there is a fair amount of tension in israel due to christian proseletyzing (which I believe is illegal anyway). I wonder if this has anything to do with that.

-mike