Tel Aviv, Israel, Jul 20, 2009 / 10:15 pm (CNA).- Israeli officials have halted the distribution of a booklet published by an American Orthodox Jewish Group and given to Israeli Defense Forces soldiers. The move follows reports of the booklet’s claims that the Pope identified with Hezbollah and that the Vatican took Hezbollah officials on a tour of the Auschwitz concentration camp.
The booklet claims the Pope and some cardinals from the Vatican helped organize the tours to teach the Lebanon-based Islamic group how to wipe out Jews, Haaretz reports.
Titled “On Either Side of the Border,” the booklet purports to be the testimony of a Hezbollah officer who spied for Israel. It was published by the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America in cooperation with Rabbi Shmuel Eliahu, Chief Rabbi of Safed.
New York City, N.Y., Jul 21, 2009 / 03:56 pm (CNA).- The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America has clarified circumstances surrounding the distribution to Israeli soldiers of a booklet that claimed the Pope and Vatican support the anti-Semitic goals of Hezbollah. The Orthodox Union rescinded the endorsement of the booklet and rejected any connection to it.
On July 19, the Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz reported on the booklet, “On Either Side of the Border,” which had been distributed to members of the Israel Defense Forces. According to the report, one of the book’s publishers was the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America.
In a statement provided to CNA, the Orthodox Union explained on Tuesday that “this endorsement was made by staff at the OU’s Israel branch office, and was never submitted to, nor approved by, senior Orthodox Union management.”
There is an extreme distrust of catholics in the orthodox community. I spend four years in one and until this day, I still do not talk to my jewish friends or with my father concerning the time I give as a volunteer with the catholic church. This distrust seems to stem from the believe that the Vatican supported the Holocaust.
This is actually a blessing. There have been many accusations agains the Catholic Church for statements and publications made by those who do not have the authority to make them. There have also been condemnations of the Church against the Holy Father when he quoted an ancient Byzantine emperor. There was condemnation of the Church when Bishop Williamson made his comments about the Shoah.
Now someone else has made a mistake and this time the victim is the Church. That’s a good thing. It proves that mistakes and misunderstandings can happen in all circles of life.
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