“Israel,* and you who call yourself Israel,

the Church that calls itself Israel,

and the revolt that calls itself Israel,

and every nation chosen to be a nation –

none of these lands is yours,

all of you are thieves of holiness,

all of you at war with Mercy

…Because you do not wrestle with your angel.

Because you dare to live without God.

Because your cowardice has led you to believe

that the victor does not limp.”

(Leonard Cohen)

Footnotes:

• When Cohen refers to 'Israel' it is clear from the passage that he is referring to all nations and religions, as well as any political movement that believes it has a special chosen status which allows them to dispense with mercy to others. All are thieves of land and holiness.