Here’s What Syrian Christian Leaders Think of their Western Saviours

 April 16, 2018  Rob Slane

It is a marvel to me how many Western Christians support the actions of their Governments as they “take action” against the Syrian Government. If they are aware at all of the huge Christian population in Syria (which many are not), they somehow believe that the Assad Government is the biggest threat to these Christians, and that their own Western Governments are the heroes of the hour, stepping in with their courageous stance and their pinpoint missiles to save the day.

Nothing could be further than the truth.

Their Governments have been covertly supporting groups they laughably call “moderate rebels”, known in the real world as “head-chopping, liver-eating, fanatical Islamist jihadists” who go under names such as Jaish al-Islam and Ahrar al-Sham (this non-denial denial in the British Parliament a few days ago makes fascinating reading to those who are able to read between lines). They have been doing so for their own geopolitical gain, and they even leave whopping big clues for us to follow, such as the gushing and fawning treatment given to the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, the biggest exporter of extremist, head-chopping Islamists in the world, in — well would you believe it — London, Paris and Washington over the past few weeks.

But somehow the clues are missed. Well maybe this will help. It is a statement released by the leaders of the main Christian denominations in Syria. And it is rather scathing of the actions of the US, the UK and France, to put it mildly.

I can imagine many Western Christians scoffing at their statement, and implying that they have been brainwashed by “Assad’s propaganda”. To which there are two replies: Firstly, isn’t it a bit odd that leaders of Christian groups actually on the ground in Syria, as opposed to sitting in armchairs in the West, who have suffered enormously over the past seven years, would choose to defend what is apparently the biggest threat to their existence, and to condemn their apparent saviours? And secondly, is it perhaps time to stop and consider whether the brainwashing and propaganda may have been a little closer to home?

Read it and weep:

A Statement Issued by the Patriarchates of Antioch and all the East for the Greek Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox, and Greek-Melkite Catholic

April 14, 2018 - Statements

A Statement Issued by the Patriarchates of Antioch and all the East for the Greek Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox, and Greek-Melkite Catholic

Damascus, 14 April 2018

God is with us; Understand all ye nations and submit yourselves!

We, the Patriarchs: John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, Ignatius Aphrem II, Syrian Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, and Joseph Absi, Melkite-Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, Alexandria, and Jerusalem, condemn and denounce the brutal aggression that took place this morning against our precious country Syria by the USA, France and the UK, under the allegations that the Syrian government has used chemical weapons. We raise our voices to affirm the following:

1. This brutal aggression is a clear violation of the international laws and the UN Charter, because it is an unjustified assault on a sovereign country, member of the UN.
2. It causes us great pain that this assault comes from powerful countries to which Syria did not cause any harm in any way.
3. The allegations of the USA and other countries that the Syrian army is using chemical weapons and that Syria is a country that owns and uses this kind of weapon, is a claim that is unjustified and unsupported by sufficient and clear evidence.
4. The timing of this unjustified aggression against Syria, when the independent International Commission for Inquiry was about to start its work in Syria, undermines of the work of this commission.
5. This brutal aggression destroys the chances for a peaceful political solution and leads to escalation and more complications.
6. This unjust aggression encourages the terrorist organizations and gives them momentum to continue in their terrorism.
7. We call upon the Security Council of the United Nations to play its natural role in bringing peace rather than contribute to escalation of wars.
8. We call upon all churches in the countries that participated in the aggression, to fulfill their Christian duties, according to the teachings of the Gospel, and condemn this aggression and to call their governments to commit to the protection of international peace.
9. We salute the courage, heroism and sacrifices of the Syrian Arab Army which courageously protects Syria and provide security for its people. We pray for the souls of the martyrs and the recovery of the wounded. We are confident that the army will not bow before the external or internal terrorist aggressions; they will continue to fight courageously against terrorism until every inch of the Syrian land is cleansed from terrorism. We, likewise, commend the brave stand of countries which are friendly to the Syria and its people.

We offer our prayers for the safety, victory, and deliverance of Syria from all kinds of wars and terrorism. We also pray for peace in Syria and throughout the world, and call for strengthening the efforts of the national reconciliation for the sake of protecting the country and preserving the dignity of all Syrians.