Jerusalem patriarch appeals for leaders to use reason to end violence

Published: 2004-04-06

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- The Latin-rite patriarch of Jerusalem appealed to leaders in the Holy Land to use reason to end the violence that has gripped the region. In his annual Easter message released April 5, Patriarch Michel Sabbah said that the "killing and demolition" of the past three years "could not bring the so-much desired security." He said, "The way out is to listen to the voice of the oppressed and to give them back what they are claiming for, freedom." In comments to journalists he put the brunt of the responsibility for reaching a peaceful solution on the shoulders of the Israelis who he said were the stronger of the two. "The weaker side can be ready for reconciliation, for peace, if the strong says OK we want to make peace," Patriarch Sabbah told journalists.

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