Vatican official tells U.N. world must work for Holy Land compromise

Published: 2007-11-09

UNITED NATIONS (CNS) -- Not working to bring an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through negotiation and compromise is to perpetuate continued injustice, said the Vatican's permanent observer to the United Nations. Archbishop Celestino Migliore said the Vatican "remains convinced that the two-state solution has the best chance to settle the crisis." However, he said, it is up to Israelis, Palestinians and neighboring states to "set aside the pretense of peacemaking and start full negotiations on the two-state solution." The archbishop made his remarks Nov. 8 to a committee of the U.N. General Assembly. He said the Vatican also believes "a lasting solution must include the status of the holy city of Jerusalem." He said, "The numerous incidents of violence and challenges to free movement posed by the (Israeli) security wall" along the West Bank have prompted the Vatican to renew calls for internationally guaranteed provisions that ensure the freedom of religion and conscience for those who live in Jerusalem and "permanent, free and unhindered access to the holy places by the faithful of all religions and nationalities."

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .