‘It is important to understand the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate’s place in the intricate interplay of local and international as well as sacred and profane interests that often seems to govern every important decision in the Holy Land. Pious pronouncements…from Europe and elsewhere abroad almost invariably collapse under the weight of the sheer complexity of local realities…’

‘It is hard to imagine a better example of “Stockholm syndrome” than this sorry episode, when local Catholics and even the Vatican seemed more intent on supporting la Résistance than protesting the occupation of the birthplace of Jesus Christ by Muslim militants. Perhaps some occupations are more just than others.’

‘However we choose to understand the situation, the 7 October attacks absolutely do not “prove” that Trump’s approach with the Abraham Accords was in error. Instead, these attacks suggest that his innovative approach was too successful for malign actors such as Hamas to accept without taking spectacular and spectacularly risky measures to combat the success and promise of the Abraham Accords.’