To H.E. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
To the Grand Rabbinate
We write to express our condolences for the killing of the Yeshiva
students, not least to the parents and families of the victims. It is
a sad and tragic event coming from the cycle of violence in which the
whole Land is victim. We appeal to you, political and religious
leaders of Israel, to find ways to put an end to all violence so as to
free all of us from this infernal cycle of violence of which we all
are victims. In the name of the believers in this Land, we reaffirm
our determination to work for peace and the end of all violence. Only
peace is needed and new ways must be found for the Land called to be
Holy by the Almighty for the Jewish people and for the Palestinians.
We pray that God will inspire all of us to submit to His ways in order
to reach a comprehensive and just peace with a total security for you
and for all.
Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem
On Their behalf: Patriarch Theofilos III
Patriarch Michel Sabbah
Patriarch Torkom Manooghian
Fr Pier Battista Pizziballa, of, Custos of the Holy Land
Mr President Mahmoud Abbs Abu Mazen
President of the Palestinian Authority
We the Patriarchs and Heads of the Christian Churches in Jerusalem
address this letter to you to express our condolences for all the
victims who have fallen and are still falling in this wave of violence
in Gaza. We share the tragedy with our people and with all those who
are exposed to death today and to further violence. We know that you
do not spare any effort in your attempts to reach a comprehensive and
just peace. Nevertheless, we urge you to do whatever possible to find
rapid and opportune ways to bring back the unity of the Palestinian
people; heal all the wounds, in order that the tragedy of which all of
us are victims, today more than ever, will come to an end. We join you
with our prayers as we ask God to inspire you in efficient ways to
reach agreement with the concerned Israeli Authorities to stop all
violence, so as to work for the achievement of peace, despite all the
grave difficulties which are known to all of us.
May God give you strength and wisdom to keep you well in order to lead
the Palestinian people to peace and security.
Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem
Patriarch Theofilos III
Patriarch Michel Sabbah
Patriarch Torkom Manooghian
Fr Pier Battista Pizziballa, ofm, Custos of the Holy Land |
