Middle East

Knesset approves the first reading of the far right norm that would legalize the seizure of private Palestinian land. For the final vote an absolute majority is needed. Peace Now: Netanyahu is "focused on internal power struggle." Bernard Sabella: " European interventions and unity among Palestinians essential ". Doubts about Trump and US policies. The sunsets on the project of "two peoples, two states."

Jesus weeps because he remembers the story of "his people." On the one hand this "crazy love of God for His people" and the other "the selfish response of the people, discouraged, adulterous, idolatrous".

Mar Gewargis III, Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, visits the Vatican. "Amid so much pain, whose end I implore, we see every day Christians who walk the way of the cross, meekly following in the footsteps of Jesus, joining Him who with his cross reconciled us, ‘putting that enmity to death’.”

Fierce fighting in the area. The goal is to eliminate the pockets of jihadist resistance and cut the supply route to Mosul. The presence of Shiite forces in the context of the offensive source of controversy. According to critics would be responsible for violations and abuse against Sunni Arabs.

Last Monday was the worst day as particulates (PM 2.5) reached 156 micrograms per square metre against 50 maximum set by the World Health Organisation. In one year, almost 6,000 people died from exposure to pollutants. Low quality fuels, outdated technology, and Western sanctions are the main causes of the problem.

After archaeological items and oil, Syria’s extremists are getting rich with organ trafficking. Several cases of missing children in the villages of Idlib province have been reported. The children are moved across the border into Turkey. Turkish media had reported the problem in the past before they were censored by Erdogan.

A work of mercy "that we all know very well, but perhaps we do not practice as we should: patiently endure annoying people". "In the Bible we see that God must be merciful to bear the complaints of his people." And "Jesus, how much patience he should have had in the three years of his public life."

In a video message to the bishops of the United States, Francis speaks of the Fifth National Hispanic Pastoral Encuentro. "Our great challenge is to create a culture of encounter, which encourages individuals and groups to share the richness of their traditions and experiences, to break down walls and to build bridges."

During the election campaign the new US president had called the campaign against Damascus "madness". The Syrian leader calls for "caution" in "judging" Trump’s choices. But remain the "doubtful" that he can "keep" his promises. Moscow and Damascus resume bombing of Aleppo.

Israel’s Supreme Court orders the dismantlement of an outpost northeast of Ramallah by 25 December. Right-wing cabinet members call on residents to resist and approve bill to legalise the outpost retrospectively. Thousands of people are said to be ready to “defend” it. Palestinians turn to international law and announce recourse to the UN.

Message to COP22, being held in Marrakesh November 7 to 18. "We can and we must employ our intelligence to guide technology, as well as to cultivate and also to limit our power, and to ‘put it at the service of another type of progress, one which is healthier, more human, more social, more integral". "The style of life based on the culture gap is unsustainable and should have no place in our models of development and education".

"The Lord tries to wake them up, help them to convert. But the Lord also acts "in another way: He invites us: 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock.'" "The importance of being able to" feel when the Lord knocks at our door "," because he wants to give us something good, wants to join us. "