Haaretz reports an alarming increase of anti-Spittilism in Jerusalem.

Anti-Spittlism: an ugly saliva libel

The root cause: Christians who complain about being spat upon.

The number of spitting incidents is substantial. According to one complainant “this sort of thing has been going on for years”. Youthful Yeshiva students are the most enthusiastic Spittlists.

Most incidents go unreported. Jerusalem’s Christians are generally polite and reluctant to make a fuss. But recently, a few have taken the provocative step of complaining to the authorities. Now Armenian Archbishop Nourhan Manougian has said “he expects the education minister to say something”.

In an unpleasant new twist, some Christians blamed ‘Jews’ for spitting on them, thereby denigrating an entire people.

The curse of anti-Spittilism can be stopped if Christian leaders take firm action. They must pull their flock into line without delay.

“Not all Jews are Spittilists and not all Spittlists are Jews. This brazen attempt to equate the two is hate speech – akin to a blood libel. These are shameful smears on the Jewish people” said an anonymous source.

Pope Benedict XVIth: concerned

“To avoid putting inter-faith dialogue at risk, Christians must avoid using the word ‘Jew’ entirely, unless properly authorized by a qualified Rabbi” he added.

In Rome, the Holy Father expressed concern about anti-Spittilism, describing it as “sinful”. He offered his sincere regrets to the Chief Rabbinate on behalf of all Catholics – an apology angrily rejected as “grossly inadequate”.