Rome's Jewish vendors of souvenirs protest against their expulsion from Vatican

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Eleven Jewish souvenir sellers staged a small demonstration on the border between Rome and the Vatican State last Saturday in protest against their expulsion from St Peter’s Square after many centuries.

ejpress.org/article/23279
 
I do not know if this applies, but Jesus chasing out the traders from the temple comes to mind.
 
What does surprise me that that I didn’t know most Catholic iconography and other miscellaneous things pertaining to Christianity in Rome itself are sold by Jews… :confused: Not that I have a problem with it, but it really makes you think… I mean sure stores bring in profit, but I personally could never peddle things of another religion I didn’t believe in… Just seems weird… even if Judaism is the original faith that Christianity comes from… Well I guess everyone needs to make a living.
 
First if I read it correctly ALL vender’s were banned from the area. So then there is no discrimination.

But another question to ask if what would the people that practice the Jewish religion think about Catholics or others selling souvenirs of Jewish Faith in the courtyards of the synagogues?
 
I bet they do in Jerusulem. I’ll bet you a dollar that they do…
 
It could very well be that some vendors, both Jew and Gentile, are peddling other souvenirs along with Christian religious items that are offensive. Some may even overstep the boundaries such as proxinity to the Basilica.

There could be much more to this than the title suggests.
 
Well, the article is from a Jewish Publication, which presents the Jewish Vendor’s point of view, but no the Vatican’s.

As a result, I’m a little skeptical on the accuracy.

Whats interesting is, the media was silent, when the state of Israel, back in the early 90’s, revoked the business licences of Palestinian Christians, who were in the same sort of souvenir trade, as well as the tour guide business, around Jerusalem and other Holy Sites, and then re-issued the licences to Jews immigrating from Europe.

Jim
 
The article states that of the 113 licenses granted, 112 belong to Jews.

I believe therefore, that the term Jewish in the headline, was used to imply racism on part of the Vatican.

Shame on those vendors!:mad:
 
JimR-OCDS said:
Well, the article is from a Jewish Publication, which presents the Jewish Vendor’s point of view, but no the Vatican’s.

As a result, I’m a little skeptical on the accuracy.

Whats interesting is, the media was silent, when the state of Israel, back in the early 90’s, revoked the business licences of Palestinian Christians, who were in the same sort of souvenir trade, as well as the tour guide business, around Jerusalem and other Holy Sites, and then re-issued the licences to Jews immigrating from Europe.

Jim
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Yeah, I think skepticism to this article is wise in this case.

I was in Israel and Palestine back in 2003 and was dismayed by the number of Muslims who a) were agressively hawking themselves as makeshift tour guides at holy sites (especially the Holy Sepulchre) b) sold Christian souvenirs, including historic sacred hand-painted icons and c) tried to fool unsuspecting pilgrims that they were Christian.

I honestly didn’t come across any Jewish vendors/tour guides at all in the Christian areas. I did see them at the Western Wall, which is essentially their domain.
 
I have a strong sense that their expulsion from the Vatican perimeters have NOTHING to do with they being Jewish.
 
johnstown_johnn said:
I have a strong sense that their expulsion from the Vatican perimeters have NOTHING to do with they being Jewish.
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Ya think? Honestly, in this day and age, people never refrain from resorting to using the “race card” to paint their situation as opression of some sort.
 
Deusdonat said:
Ya think? Honestly, in this day and age, people never refrain from resorting to using the “race card” to paint their situation as opression of some sort.
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That may often be true, but I haven’t seen that in this case yet.
 
None of us has seen ANYTHING except they were Jews and were expelled. This is as nebulous as anything can possibly be.
 
As I walked out the doors of the church this past Sunday, I was confronted by the Knights selling tickets for a dinner, another group promoting the Walk for Life, another group promoting a retreat, etc…it was just cluttered!

When I was in Lourdes in March, my very first time, I was greatly disheartened by having to walk past all these stores to get to the shrine. It just seemed so commercialized. In Fatima, some stores would have their glow-in-the-dark Buddhas right next to the flashing Jesus (both bad taste, but Buddha?!).

When going to the Vatican, it should be a pilgrimage, not a tourist trap. Vendors should be minimal. What should be emphasized is our great and wonderous faith, not small trinkets to remember your trip. I was saddened by some people who were in my group at Lourdes who were more concerned with buying souveniers than spending time praying in the grotto! The over abundance of vendors supports this.

As per the Jewish vendors, I don’t know. I find it intesting that they get upset that we pray for their blindness to be lifted once a year yet they pray daily thanking God they are not Gentiles (or a woman or a slave - if prayed in the proper way). Personally, I could not sell dolls of Buddha or Mohommad, or copies of the Koran. I find it a contradiction of my faith.
 
StDominicSavio said:
I find it intesting that they get upset that we pray for their blindness to be lifted once a year yet they pray daily thanking God they are not Gentiles (or a woman or a slave - if prayed in the proper way).
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The implication is not what it seems - it’s ‘fortunate’ in the sense of being ‘chosen’ to accept a greater burden than others (like ‘chosen people’, it’s not that we’re someway better, just that we were ‘chosen’ to take on the burden of the Torah - or were silly enough to be talked into it!). Torah has many more burdensome observational requirements for males (it isn’t that women can’t take many of them on, it’s that we don’t have to).

I’ve often wondered just how many of them are thinking: “Yes, thank you very much . . . .” 😉
 
Poor, poor downtrodden vendors must move a couple of hundred feet so they can’t pester pilgrims!:rolleyes:

That typical anti-semitic attitude by catholics!:rolleyes:
 
How ironic! Last year 13 Austrian bishops were ordered to remove their crosses at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem and yet…they were not vendors!

Vendors can be obtrusive and show bad judgment/taste in displaying their wares and when they are ordered to move a hundred feet or so it is an act of discrimination .

They just should have complied and be thankful they are still vending nearby.

Much ado about NOTHING.
 
johnstown_johnn said:
How ironic! Last year 13 Austrian bishops were ordered to remove their crosses at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem and yet…they were not vendors!

Vendors can be obtrusive and show bad judgment/taste in displaying their wares and when they are ordered to move a hundred feet or so it is an act of discrimination .

They just should have complied and be thankful they are still vending nearby.

Much ado about NOTHING.
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Are you and I in agreement?

I’m sure they are enjoying the cool breeze down there!😃
 
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