A high-level delegation of Roman Catholic bishops has criticized Israeli polices in Arab sectors of Jerusalem and called for more contacts between ordinary Israelis and Palestinians.
In a statement issued Jan. 14, the group of eight bishops from North America and Europe said violence, insecurity, the route of Israel’s West Bank separation barrier, home demolitions and other policies threaten peace prospects and endanger the dwindling Christian presence in the Holy Land.
The bishops’ statement, which was issued at the end of the group’s annual visit to Israel, also called for the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
“For us, this is not merely about politics; it is an issue of basic human rights,” the statement said.
During their visit, the bishops visited Christian institutions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, talked with Palestinians about their lives and listened to presentations from Israeli and Palestinian experts. It was unclear if they met with ordinary Jewish Israelis.
Bishop Gerald Kicanas, vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, pointed out that Israeli and Palestinian youth lack opportunities to meet each other. — ap