Israelis, Palestinians in 'deadly turmoil,' says Christian leader

Published: 2004-01-29

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Noting two days of violence that have rocked the region, the Jerusalem director of the Middle East Council of Churches said Palestinians and Israelis were locked into a game of "deadly turmoil." A day after eight Palestinians -- including three civilians -- were killed in Gaza and seven injured, a suicide bomb tore through a packed Jerusalem bus during rush hour traffic, a few yards from Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's official residence. Sharon was not at the residence at the time. At least 10 Israelis were killed and some 40 wounded in the Jan. 29 blast. "As far as the churches are concerned, we condemn the bombing, but of course we can't condemn on one hand and ... not look for the root causes and at the continuing deterioration of the political situation," said Ramze Zananiri, Middle East Council of Churches' Jerusalem director. The Catholic Church is a member of the council.

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