Awhile back I wrote a couple of articles on the Pope's speech that seemed to be insulting to Islam, quoting a Byzantine Emperor's statement that Islam was wrong to use violence in the name of religion. This generated some discussion regarding what the Pope's intent was and whether Muslims should be angry or not. All agreed that the violence that the Pope's statement inspired among some Muslims was uncalled for and, quite honestly, a bit crazy. But I maintain that the Pope should have made it much clearer that he did not agree with the Byzantine Emperor's statement after he had quoted that Emperor.

However, we are finally coming to what we all knew would happen: Muslim newspapers around the world are blaming Jews for the Pope's statement. Yes... even though many Jews around the world condemned the Pope's statement as being anti-Islam and inflamatory, Muslims are blaming it on Jews. Even though my source for the controversy was a conservative Israeli news source that was critical of the Pope, clearly it is all the fault of the Jews.

From the Anti-Defamation League

Arab/Muslim Media Allege Jewish Conspiracy Behind Pope' Comments
New York, NY, September 19, 2006 (new cartoon added 9/22/06) -- Cartoons and editorials published in newspapers in the Arab/Muslim world falsely portray Jews as the manipulators behind Pope Benedict XVI and his speech at a German university on the theological need for faith and reason, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)...

ADL also found a growing trend in editorials and opinion-pieces in the Arab/Muslim media that claim the Pope's statements should not surprise anyone, since they are the long-lasting natural discourse of international Zionism against Islam. Some maintain that after September 11 a new Rome was erected, one that aims at converting Christianity and God to Judaism under the watchful eyes of the evil American-Israeli alliance that was established by the international Zionism, which eventually seeks to enflame a full confrontation between Islam and Christianity...

Ah...I see. New Rome...converting God to Judaism...right.

Look, I was as critical of the Pope's statement as anyone, some think too critical. But when Muslim leaders and newspapers around the world have knee-jerk reactions to everything that include violence and blaming Jews (who, last I looked, have little influence over the Pope) it is hard for me to be sympathetic. There are a slew of cartoons the ADL reprint from Muslim papers (click on the ADL link above to see them) that are FAR more insulting to Judaism and Christianity than those Danish cartoons ever were towards Islam, yet Muslims rioted over the Danish cartoons but think it is okay to publish anti-Jewish and anti-Christian cartoons.

I would like to see Muslim moderates condemn those cartoons the way Jewish leaders around the world condemned the Pope's comments and (wrongly I think) the Danish cartoons.