Vatican official urges Israelis, Palestinians to end violence

Published: 2004-05-25

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Palestinians and Israelis need to reflect on their common humanity to end their current cycle of violence, said the Vatican's top ecumenist. "They need to first recognize each other as human beings," said Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. "They should reflect (on) their common interests as human beings living in the same country, then reflect on how they can live together." Cardinal Kasper spoke to Catholic News Service during a May 24-28 visit to Jerusalem, where he attended an ecumenical conference on forgiveness at the invitation of the Tantur Ecumenical Institute. He said Israelis and Palestinians must learn how to live together combining their rights. One of the main problems, he said, is the absence of mutual trust between the two peoples.

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