Pope Francis calls for Middle East peace
- May 25, 2014
- 2 min read
Pope Francis delighted his Palestinian hosts by referring to the “state of Palestine”, giving support for their bid for full statehood recognition in the face of a paralyzed peace process.
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As the Pope visits the ‘Holy Land’, much media coverage has focused on the current problems facing Christian Palestinians, and in particular, the so-called ‘price tag’ attacks being perpetrated by right-wing Jewish extremists. Ahead of the Papal visit, Israeli police even issued restraining orders against known activists.
As Jessica Purkiss has written in the Middle East Monitor, “growing concerns over the rising anti-Christian attacks are darkening the occasion [of Pope Francis’ visit] for Israel’s Christian community”.
Non Jewish sites such as mosques, churches, Christian and Muslim graveyards, as well as Palestinian property and land in both in the occupied territories and Israel are routinely targeted, damaged and defaced.
These attacks and threats come on top of long-standing grievances over land confiscation, restrictions on freedom of access and worship, and visa problems for foreign clergy. But there is a bigger picture to take into account, beyond the latest disturbing developments.
In recent years there has been a marked increase in political organising and activism amongst Christian Palestinians, either as part of broader movements and campaigns, or, explicitly ‘as Christians’. These activities have taken place inside both Israel and the Occupied Territories, and can be viewed alongside the wider trend of Palestinians confronting territorial and organisational fragmentation, especially amongst youth.
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Christian and Muslim Communities in Palestine and Israel begged Francis to Make a Stand against the Negation of the Christian and Muslim Communities by Israel.
In a decision that surprised even his own staff, Pope Francis decided to make an unannounced stop at the Israeli wall separating the West Bank from Israel. The wall – replete with pro-Palestinian graffiti – has long served as a symbol of Israel’s control over the destiny of Palestinians in the West Bank.
The Pope’s planned route would have taken him near the wall while he was in Bethlehem, but as he passed, his glass covered pick-up truck lurched to a halt and the Pope emerged. He was quickly surrounded by children who live in a nearby Aida refugee camp.
The Pope didn’t stand by a wall that says Free Palestine to pray on accident. The Pope clearly understands the plight of the Palestinian people. He referred to Palestine rightfully as PALESTINE.
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