UNRWA condemns the terrible terrorist attack on the church in Hmoud. We mourn those killed and wish the injured a swift recovery. We stand with our host nation Jordan. Places of worship must be sanctuaries of peace and safety. Attacks on civilians and religious sites are indefensible. The international community must do everything to support peace, tolerance, and respect for the rights and faiths of all.

 Dr. Omar Suleiman

@omarsuleiman

Muslims and Christians in Jordan have shared neighborhoods, friendships, joys, and sorrows for generations. This horrific attack violates that shared history and the sanctity of innocent life. May Allah comfort the grieving and heal the wounded. 

 

No innocent civilian should ever feel unsafe in a mosque, church, synagogue, or any place of worship, anywhere. Period. 

 

But I can’t help but question how “ISIS” repeatedly emerges at the worst moments with its savagery to tear our societies apart and feed the worst narratives that get turned into perpetual cycles of crimes against humanity.   https://x.com/omarsuleiman/status/2113691837458464820

 

* 

 

UNRWA

 

@UNRWA

UNRWA condemns the terrible terrorist attack on the church in Hmoud. We mourn those killed and wish the injured a swift recovery. We stand with our host nation Jordan. 

 

Places of worship must be sanctuaries of peace and safety. Attacks on civilians and religious sites are indefensible. 

 

The international community must do everything to support peace, tolerance, and respect for the rights and faiths of all.  https://x.com/UNRWA/status/2113959186925076503

 

* 

 

Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem

 

@LPJerusalem

بيان استنكاري وتعزية صادر عن البطريركية اللاتينية الأورشليمية بشأن الاعتداء الإرهابي على الكنيسة في بلدة حمود – الكرك. 

 

Statement of Condemnation and Condolences issued by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem regarding the terrorist attack on the church in the town of Hamoud – Al-Karak  https://x.com/LPJerusalem/status/2113689194828644731

 

Statement of Condemnation and Condolences issued by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem,
regarding the terrorist attack on the church in the town of Hamoud – Al-Karak

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful ones." (Psalm 116:15)

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we received news this afternoon of the merciless terrorist attack targeting the Greek Orthodox Church in the town of Hammoud, Karak. This crime has resulted in fatalities and injuries, violating the sanctity of a place of worship and infringing upon the fundamental human right to life, security, and the freedom to worship with dignity. We condemn this cowardly terrorist act in the strongest possible terms. We extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, to the residents of Hammoud, and to all our brothers and sisters affected by this grave tragedy. We also offer our prayers to God for the swift recovery of the injured, for patience and solace to be granted to the families of the victims, and for Jordan and its people to be protected from all evil and harm.

In this context, we affirm our profound pride in the historical and national role played by the Hashemite family—led by His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein ibn Abdullah II—in consolidating the values ​​of moderation and tolerance, upholding human dignity, and safeguarding the freedom to practice religious rites.

We further emphasize that the national cohesion of the Jordanian people serves as a vital safeguard against terrorism, extremism, and any attempts to sow division or discord. Jordanians—both Muslims and Christians—form a single national family, united by a shared history and a common destiny, bound together by ties of affection, belonging, and loyalty to their land and their leadership. Moreover, we express our full support for the security services and all those tasked with pursuing the perpetrators who sought to undermine the social peace—a peace in which we have always taken great pride.

In concluding this statement, we offer our prayers to God Almighty, asking Him to enfold the martyrs in His boundless mercy, grant their families solace and patience, and bring healing to the wounded. We pray that He may protect His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al-Hussein and his loyal Crown Prince, preserve the blessings of security and stability in Jordan, and safeguard its people from all harm. May this ordeal serve as an occasion to renew our commitment to national unity and coexistence—standing united as one against any who would seek to undermine the security of our homeland or compromise its unity.

May God protect Jordan—its leadership and its people—sustain the blessings of peace and harmony, and ensure that love and brotherhood remain stronger than terrorism and hatred.  https://www.lpj.org/en/news/statement-of-condemnation-and-condolences-regarding-the-terrorist

* 

 

☧ Milad ܝܠܕܐ

@PalCatholic

 

Translated from Arabic

Churches in Ramallah, Jerusalem, and Bethlehem ring their bells for the souls of the victims of the terrorist operation at Karak Church in Jordan 🇯🇴🇵🇸☦️✝️.

 

☧ Milad ܝܠܕܐ

@PalCatholic

 

Translated from Arabic

The King of Jordan, who went down to visit the injured and who took the terrorist incident with utmost seriousness and resolve, dealing with it swiftly without any sugarcoating of reality and refusing to let it pass as if it were nothing, deserves all respect and appreciation. In the hope that the rest of the rulers of Arab countries learn what it means to uphold the dignity of a citizen.

عبدالله بن الحسين

@KingAbdullahII

·

22h

Translated from Arabic

We will confront the terrorist act that targeted Karak with the harshest penalties. And whoever imagines that the bullets of treachery can divide the ranks of Jordanians will fail in his endeavor before our steadfastness and unity. All Jordanians, from the north of the homeland

 

 

[AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes or watch videos) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine]

“Consider what we didn’t do,” said [Ben] Rhodes. “I sometimes am haunted by this. The trillions of dollars spent on a forever war: what could that have been spent on? Climate change, universal healthcare, public education. There’s a real opportunity cost to how we chose to spend our time and resources."

‘The initial heroism, goodwill and unity of 9/11 gave way to discord at home and diminished moral authority abroad.’ Illustration: Guardian Design

 

Mistakes, mistrust and misdirection: 25 years after 9/11, its dark legacy continues to unfold

The world’s most powerful country responded to the worst terrorist attack in its history by inflicting terror of its own – around the world, and at home

David Smith in Washington

Fri 11 Sep 2026

As clear as that cloudless September morning, Jenna Jacobs McPartland remembers the moment everything changed. “I was cleaning the bathroom and watching the Today show in the background and nine months pregnant,” the 52-year-old recalls by phone. “I think they were showing ‘Today throws a wedding’ when the news broke in.”

A plane had hit the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York. McPartland did not know that her husband, Ariel Jacobs, was attending a conference at its Windows on the World restaurant. “I called his office to say, ‘Hey, turn on the TV. Do you guys know what’s going on?’ His assistant said, ‘Oh my God, Jenna, he’s there.’ The whole world disappeared and there was this sort of hollow collapsing feeling.”

Ariel Jacobs did not live to see his son... READ MORE https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/sep/11/september-11-dark-legacy 

AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine, or at least fair and just laws and policies here, there- and everywhere]  

"As the Sept. 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows have said numerous times, war will not end terrorism or bring peace." William Lambers

William Lambers is an author who partnered with the U.N. World Food Program on the book Ending World Hunger.

On the anniversary of Sept. 11, we should save Afghanistan’s children — Opinion

• Published: Sep. 07, 2026 

Monique Nagelkerke looks over the north reflecting pool at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in 2021. While midlifers have visceral memories of the day, more than 30% of Americans are too young to remember it. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)AP

Deora Frances Bodley, the youngest victim on Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001, once wrote “People ask who, what, where, when, why, how. I ask peace.” Bodley was just 20 when she died on 9/11, and left these words of wisdom.

Upon the 25th anniversary of the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, peace is the best path forward for healing. As the Sept. 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows have said numerous times, war will not end terrorism or bring peace.

Our road to peace and healing is long even 25 years after 9/11. We could save Afghanistan’s children from starvation because there is extreme hunger in that impoverished nation right now.

The tragedy of Sept. 11 claimed nearly 3,000 lives when terrorists hijacked four airplanes and rammed them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Flight 93 did not reach the intended target in Washington, D.C. because the passengers, including Deora Bodley, fought back against the terrorists. The heroic passengers of Flight 93 caused the plane to crash in a Pennsylvania field. They lost their lives but saved countless others.

The 9/11 attacks led to years of warfare and tragedy in Afghanistan in... READ MORE    https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2026/09/on-the-anniversary-of-sept-11-we-should-save-afghanistans-children-opinion.html?gift=98ec6c20-d6f6-4f67-a02e-ff6c9a81647b

AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine, or at least fair and just laws and policies here, there- and everywhere]  

A June 2026 UN report identified 249 cases of extrajudicial executions and severe physical violence in Gaza between August 2024 and early 2026, at least 60 of which involved Hamas-affiliated forces.

Palestine: Hamas must stamp out extrajudicial executions and ensure justice for victims

Authorities and forces affiliated with Hamas in the occupied Gaza Strip must put an end to extrajudicial executions of suspected collaborators with Israel, carried out in the absence of any judicial proceedings, Amnesty International said today. Last month alone, security officials in Hamas’ military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, publicly announced the summary execution of one man for collaborating with Israel and their intention to execute another “informant” within days within the context of what they called a large-scale security campaign.

A June 2026 UN report identified 249 cases of extrajudicial executions and severe physical violence in Gaza between August 2024 and early 2026, at least 60 of which involved Hamas-affiliated forces. Amnesty International has investigated and documented nine extrajudicial executions and unlawful killings by Hamas-affiliated forces committed in the immediate aftermath of the announced ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in October 2025.

While Hamas officials have said that they have opened preliminary internal investigations into the incidents, to Amnesty International’s knowledge none of those responsible for the killings have been held to account to date. In recent weeks, the collapse of law and order in Gaza, and the extreme state of deprivation caused by Israel’s ongoing genocide, has fuelled social tensions including infighting among families.

“Nearly three years into Israel’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip, the traumatized civilian population has already endured unimaginable suffering and cannot be subjected to further killings, abuses and cruelty. The Hamas authorities must immediately halt all unlawful killings, acts of vigilantism and arbitrary arrests. Restoring law and order must never serve as a cover to commit grave human rights violations, carry out reprisals, or to collectively punish entire families,” said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns.

“Those responsible for ordering and carrying out extrajudicial executions as well as arbitrary arrests, torture and other ill-treatment must be held accountable. Despite its announcement of the dissolution of the governing committee that administers Gaza, Hamas remains fully responsible for preventing serious violations by its agencies and individuals under its control, including Al-Qassam Brigades and the ‘Resistance Security System’. The new leadership of the political bureau of Hamas must break with the long-standing impunity for abuses committed by its forces and its affiliates and take urgent, concrete steps to ensure truth and justice for victims and their families.”

An unidentified high-ranking member of the “Resistance Security System,” a secret security and intelligence group operating under the auspices of the military wings of Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups, also announced on the group’s official platform on Telegram, Al-Hares, that the 1 July extrajudicial execution was the beginning of a “large-scale security campaign” and that the “upcoming few days will witness the executions of others implicated with collaboration with the occupation.”

Since the beginning of the genocide, Palestinian human rights groups, including Al Mezan and the Independent Commission for Human rights, have repeatedly condemned extrajudicial executions and other unlawful killings in Gaza, including those carried out by unidentified armed groups, and have called on the authorities to investigate those responsible and ensure accountability.

A recent report by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, identified 249 cases of extrajudicial executions and severe physical violence in Gaza between August 2024 and January 2026, resulting in at least 108 deaths. At least 60 of these cases involved Hamas-affiliated forces. Some of these executions were carried out in public and filmed and announced on pages affiliated with Hamas, mainly on Telegram channels.

For example, on 21 September 2025, during the height of Israel’s mass forced displacement campaign in Gaza City, a group describing itself as the “Joint Operations Room for the Resistance” claimed responsibility for the public execution in a street in Gaza City of three men accused of collaborating with Israel.  

For this investigation, Amnesty International has documented nine extrajudicial executions and one unlawful killing, with all but one of these incidents taking place in the immediate aftermath of the so-called ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in October 2025. The evidence reveals how in October 2025 Hamas and its affiliated forces carried out public, summary executions of eight members of the Dughmush family from the Al-Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City, after accusing them of collaborating with Israel. It also documented another execution on 1 July 2026.

The organization also documented the unlawful killing of a man in October 2025 during an apparent arrest operation in Al-Bureij refugee camp near Salaheddine street by masked armed gunmen.

Amnesty International verified photos and videos, gathered testimonies from 11 family members of people killed and two health workers, and analysed statements by Hamas authorities and Telegram accounts of its military wing and affiliated armed groups.... READ MORE   https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/08/palestine-hamas-must-stamp-out-extrajudicial-executions-and-ensure-justice-for-victims/

[AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine, or at least fair and just laws and policies]

“I ask—they hate it when I say this, but I can’t help myself—‘What if I know my rights, and the government knows my rights, but they just don’t care?’ ” Mahmoud Khalil

The Trump Administration says that Khalil’s statements would be lawful except that they compromise “core American interests.”Photograph by Sharif Hamza for The New Yorker

How Far Will the Trump Administration Go to Deport Mahmoud Khalil?

Khalil, a legal permanent resident, protested Israel when he was a student at Columbia. Now the Trump Administration is trying to kick him out of the country.

By Andrew Marantz

August 17, 2026

Published in the print edition of the August 24 & 31, 2026, issue, with the headline “Fighting Words.”

It may or may not be true that all happy families are alike, but it’s certainly true that any married couple with a car, happy or unhappy, must at some point decide who will do the driving. For Mahmoud Khalil and his wife, Noor Abdalla, this was not a difficult decision. Khalil, who is thirty-one, spent his youth in a Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus, where he didn’t have much time for driving lessons; until recently, he was on track to become a high-level diplomat, a career that usually involves not driving but being driven. Abdalla, on the other hand, was born and raised in Flint, Michigan, and she learned to drive before she could see easily over the dashboard. (She is still short enough that this seems to require some effort, though she is now a thirty-year-old dentist who until recently had a daily commute.) In the inveterate American tradition, she treats her car as a second living room. “It’s where I’m most comfortable,” she said this past fall, giving her steering wheel an affectionate pat.

It was a Tuesday in October, just after dawn, and a pink sun was rising over the oil-distillation towers of northern New Jersey. Abdalla was making good time from Brooklyn to the federal courthouse in Philadelphia, where the couple would observe oral arguments in what Khalil dryly called “one of my cases.” He sat in the passenger seat, holding a phone in each hand: his own, from which he texted members of his sprawling pro-bono legal team, and Abdalla’s, which he used to d.j. The music, mostly old Levantine folk songs, was interrupted every now and then by a notification from a navigation app, in English: “Police ahead.”

Khalil moved to Manhattan in 2022, and he adapted quickly to American culture. (In a sense, he even came to inhabit that most American of identities: an influencer.) At Columbia, where he was a master’s student in public and international affairs, he became perhaps the most visible pro-Palestine activist... READ MORE  https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/08/24/how-far-will-the-trump-administration-go-to-deport-mahmoud-khalil

 [AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes or watch videos) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine]