Chair of USCCB International Committee Says “Violence is Not the Answer” to Conflict between Israelis and Palestinians

May 18, 2018
By Ss. Peter & Paul

WASHINGTON—In
response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the ongoing violence between
Israelis and Palestinians, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for
the Military Services, USA, Chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee
on International Justice and Peace, stated the following:

“The
violence in Gaza that has led to the deaths of 60 Palestinians and injuries of
more than 2,000 is deeply troubling. Recognizing Israel’s right to
self-defense, it is difficult to justify the death of protestors.

The
protests by Palestinians are fueled by desperation due to the dire humanitarian
situation in Gaza. I pray for all those who have been killed or injured and for
their families who are suffering.

I
join with Pope Francis who on Easter prayed, ‘We beseech fruits of
reconciliation for the Holy Land, also experiencing in these days the wounds of
ongoing conflict that do not spare the defenseless.’

Prospects
are dimming for a two-state solution in which a viable and independent
Palestine exists in peace with a secure Israel, with Jerusalem as a shared
capital. Moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem was a provocative and unhelpful
step in the pursuit of peace.

Understanding
that violence is not the answer, I join with all people of good will in praying
for a peaceful resolution to this long-standing conflict.”

Keywords:
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio,
Committee on International Justice and Peace, Israel, Palestine, West Bank,
East Jerusalem, Gaza, peace, Pope Francis

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Source:: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops