No one begrudges hope for peace – but we need unequivocal condemnation of terrorists too
Unholy mess
THIS Christmas, the Holy Land has become a place of unholy horror.
Christians in Bethlehem cowering at home amid Palestinian protest in the West Bank.
Hostages murdered in Hamas tunnels.
Jihadists shooting at starving families in order to steal United Nations aid.
Israel investigating a deadly airstrike.
It would be uncommon and unnatural for the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury to ignore the outrages in their annual Christmas addresses.
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No one begrudges their twin hope for peace. But wouldn’t it have been more heartening to hear unequivocal condemnation of the terrorists?
Instead our Christian leaders delivered platitudes.
Pope Francis’s complaint about the “futile logic of war” was also in danger of treating both sides in the conflict in Gaza with the same moral equivalence.
But there is no doubt that Hamas’s October 7 killing spree bears the entire responsibility for ending an existing ceasefire. And for putting Gaza — and their own people — on the current path to total destruction
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The longer the Middle East conflict goes on, the faster memories will fade.
Ask Ukrainians now sheltering from bombardment for a second successive Christmas and facing dwindling support from a West wilting under the financial pressure to back their defence against Russia’s dictator.
So while the Pontiff and the Archbishop call for peace they should also know this:
That unless the twin tyrannies of Putin and Islamic terrorism are defeated those hopes will remain unfulfilled.
King’s gamble
CHRISTMAS is a time for families.
And the King showed yesterday how determined he is to unite his after a troubled few years.
In just a few days’ time Prince Andrew will find out the extent of new sexual allegations against him.
His notorious friendship with paedo tycoon Jeffrey Epstein is a stain on his character that refuses to budge.
Yet the King has refused to shut the Duke out. Andrew was front and centre of the annual Sandringham church outing yesterday.
Such is the King’s public intent that he even invited Sarah Ferguson for the first time since 1991.
We will find out in the New Year whether the King’s trust in his younger brother was wise — or misplaced.
Christmas gift
HAPPY Christmas to another family together again this December 25.
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It’s been six long years since Alex Batty last enjoyed a festive holiday with his gran. Grateful Susan described it as the “best present” she could ever have.
She deserves to enjoy it to the full.