By Andrew L. Jaffee

Palestinian and Muslim madness. Because the Pope ended a recent speech in Germany with a “clear and radical rejection of the religious motivation for violence, from whatever side it may come,” presumably Palestinian Muslims have attacked 5 churches in the West Bank, “and a group claiming responsibility said it was protesting Benedict’s words.” Protest? Punishing Palestinian Christians for something the Pope said? As usual, we are seeing a violent, Danish-cartoon-like Muslim reaction. A violent reaction by people angry about being accused of using violence. Makes sense? And the Pope ain’t Catholic.

The Pope has rightfully criticized Muslim violence. Is there any doubt Islam has a problem? Look at Iraq, where Shiites and Sunnis are busy killing each other by the thousands. Is this the Pope’s fault? Benedict has yet to apologize for “insulting” Islam. Hopefully he will not. An apology would show weakness that the West cannot afford to display. If the Western world is truly committed to civilized society, then it must prove so in both words and deeds.

Is it any wonder that, “Christians make up a small — and dwindling — minority of several tens of thousands among the more than 3 million Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem?” Moving to Israel, anyone?