In resolution 59/29 of 1 December 2004, the Assembly requested the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and the Division for Palestinian Rights, as part of the observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on 29 November, to continue to organize an annual exhibit on Palestinian rights in cooperation with the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations. It also encouraged Member States to continue to give the widest support and publicity to the observance of the Day of Solidarity.

Source:
United Nations

In order to enhance understanding of the situation in Palestine and the response of the Church, below are some statements and responses from various voices of the Church: Holy See, Bishop’s Conferences, etc. It is hoped that readers can reflect on these statements and guidance in personal, well as collective responses for peace in Palestine.


Messages from the Holy See

The Holy See has expressed its deep concern for the situation in Palestine. Some of these voices, response and suggestions for actions can be found in the following:

Statement against use of force and unilateral action
14 June 2006

Concerned by the growing violence in the Holy Land, the Holy See released a statement on 14 June, urging the international community to help the Palestinian population face difficult problems through humanitarian assistance, negotiation, but condemns the use of force and unilateral solutions.

“It is with great apprehension and sorrow that the Holy See is following the rising number of often blind, episodes of violence that these days are staining the Holy Land with blood,” said Vatican Press Office Director Joaquín Navarro-Valls.

“The Holy Father feels close, in particular through prayer, to the innocent victims, their relatives and the populations of this land which is captive to all those who have deceived themselves into thinking that they can solve the region’s increasingly terrible problems with the use of force or by unilateral action.” “The Holy See urges the international community to move quickly and take all necessary steps to provide the Palestinian population with the humanitarian assistance it needs. It also joins all those who have pressed the leaders of both peoples to show, first and foremost, respect for human life, especially that of defenceless civilians and children, as well to restart negotiations, which are the only path that can bring the just and lasting peace everyone wants.”

Source: AsiaNews

Message of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for the Celebration of the World Day of Peace
1 January 2006

In this message, His Holiness has mentioned with concern and hope for peace and solidarity of the international community, the suffering people of Palestine who long for peace and reconciliation.

1. In this traditional Message for the World Day of Peace at the beginning of the New Year, I offer cordial greetings and good wishes to men and women everywhere, especially those who are suffering as a result of violence and armed conflicts. My greeting is one filled with hope for a more serene world, a world in which more and more individuals and communities are committed to the paths of justice and peace. . .

12. Looking at the present world situation, we can note with satisfaction certain signs of hope in the work of building peace. I think, for example, of the decrease in the number of armed conflicts. Here we are speaking of a few, very tentative steps forward along the path of peace, yet ones which even now are able to hold out a future of greater serenity, particularly for the suffering people of Palestine, the land of Jesus, and for those living in some areas of Africa and Asia, who have waited for years for the positive conclusion of the ongoing processes of pacification and reconciliation. These are reassuring signs which need to be confirmed and consolidated by tireless cooperation and activity, above all on the part of the international community and its agencies charged with preventing conflicts and providing a peaceful solution to those in course.

The full message can be found at the Vatican web site.

Address of John Paul II to Mr. Ahmad Qurei, Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority
12 February 2004

The Holy Father has expressed his sadness at the suffering in the Holy Land. At his address to the Prime Minister’s visit to the Vatican, he suggested the great need for reconciliation, and the combined effort of dialogue, negotiation, as well as the engagement of all leaders of the region and the international community, towards lasting peace. He also re-iterated his prayer for peace and blessings for the land.

Mr. Prime Minister, I am pleased to welcome you to the Vatican. Your presence brings back vivid memories of my pilgrimage to the Holy Land, during which I prayed fervently for peace and justice in the region. While signs of hope have not been altogether absent, unfortunately the sad situation in the Holy Land is a cause of suffering for all. No one must yield to the temptation of discouragement, let alone to hatred or retaliation. It is reconciliation that the Holy Land needs: forgiveness not revenge, bridges not walls. This demands that all leaders of the region follow, with the help of the international community, the path of dialogue and negotiation which leads to lasting peace. Upon you and your people I cordially invoke an abundance of divine blessings

Source:
Vatican web site

Address of John Paul II to a Delegation of Palestinian Christians of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO),
10 November 2003

At this address, we can see the Holy Father’s aspirations and hopes: that Palestinian Christians could play a significant role in promoting the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people. He also outlined the conditions which he believes will make peace possible, in spite of the setbacks on the road to peace: dialogue and commitment of people of goodwill, as well as respect for the resolutions of the United Nations and commitments made in the acceptance of peace process.

Distinguished Guests, I am pleased to welcome your Delegation and I ask you kindly to convey my greetings and good wishes to President Yasser Arafat and to all the Palestinian people. I am confident that this visit of prominent Palestinian Christians to the Holy See will lead to a better understanding of the situation of Christians in the Palestinian territories and the significant role which they can play in promoting the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people. Despite the recent setbacks on the road to peace and fresh outbreaks of violence and injustice, we must continue to affirm that peace is possible and that the resolution of differences can only come about through the patient dialogue and persevering commitment of people of good will on both sides. Terrorism must be condemned in all its forms, for it is not only a betrayal of our common humanity, but is absolutely incapable of laying the necessary political, moral and spiritual foundations for a people's freedom and authentic self-determination. I once again call upon all parties to respect fully the resolutions of the United Nations and the commitments made in the acceptance of the peace process, with engagement in a common quest for reconciliation, justice and the building of a secure and harmonious coexistence in the Holy Land. I likewise voice my hope that the national Constitution presently being drafted will give expression to the highest aspirations and the most cherished values of all the Palestinian people, with due recognition of all religious communities and adequate legal protection of their freedom of worship and expression. Dear friends, through you I send warm greetings to the Christians of the Holy Land, who have an altogether special place in my heart. Upon you and all the Palestinian people I invoke God's blessings of wisdom, strength and peace.

Source:
Vatican web site

On visible Peace-building effort:
The Holy See has signed an agreement with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)
15 February 2000

It outlines the establishment of the Bilateral Permanent Working Commission to identify, study and address issues of common interest between the two parties. For example, it re-affirms the need to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East and calls for peaceful solution of Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

It recognizes the basic safeguard of freedom of religion and conscience, equality before the law and freedom of access and worship in Holy Places of Jerusalem. It also urges recognition of Palestinians of all religions to be equal members of the society.

The Working Commission agreed to uphold and observe human right to freedom of religion and conscience according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and encourages inter-religious dialogue for better understanding between people of different religions.

For full statement, please click here.

Response of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

The USCCB has initiated the Catholic Campaign for Peace in the Holy Land, an inter-religious initiative which engages Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious leaders and communities in a coordinated effort to promote a just peace in the Middle East. The Campaign builds and complements the on-going efforts of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops to pursue just peace.

The Campaign calls on diocesan bishops and Catholic leaders to partner actively with local religious leaders in the Jewish, Muslim and other Christian traditions. The goal is to create a shared commitment to the broad outlines of a just resolution of the conflict and to raise a united voice with policy makers and the wider public.

The Campaign is launched for three reasons:
- our faith demands it
- our Church leaders calls us to it
- our Church is well-situated to build bridges

For more information on the Church’s work for Peace in the Middle East and the campaign materials, please click here.

Source:
Office of Social Development & World Peace, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops