wfn.org | Topic: Pontifical Council Seeks End to Violence

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Topic:  Pontifical Council Seeks End to Violence

Contact:
Fr. Raed Awad Abussahlin
The Latin (Catholic) Patriarchate of Jerusalem
(972-2) 628-2323
Email: latinpat@actcom.co.il

JERUSALEM, November 8, 2000--Following is the text of the Pontifical Council 
received here today from the Pontifical Council in Rome.  It addresses the 
current situation and calls on both Israelis and Palestinians to end the 
current violence and to exclusivist claims to Jerusalem.

Declaration of the Pontifical Council for the Dialogue

In the last weeks the situation in Israel and in the Territories under the 
Palestinian Authority has deteriorated seriously. Tension has mounted, and 
conflict has resulted in a large number of victims.

We wish to express our solidarity with all who have lost members of their 
families, and with all those who continue to suffer.

We therefore appeal to the Jewish and Palestinian people to forego violence 
and to take up once again that dialogue which is the only way to true peace.

We reaffirm the importance of the Holy City of Jerusalem for Jews, Christians 
and Muslims.

There can be no exclusive claim to the city. Jerusalem belongs moreover to 
the spiritual patrimony of humanity. There must be free access to its Holy 
Places for all, and especially for Jews, Christians and Muslims.

The current situation shows how important is education for peace. Religious 
leaders must be conscious of their responsibility in this matter. There must 
also be a constant striving to establish justice for all. Moreover, hatred 
and a spirit of revenge are never to be encouraged. On the contrary, a spirit 
of pardon and the willingness to bring about reconciliation are the only way 
forward to true peace for all.
[02225-02.02] [Original text: English]