(02 Jun 10 – RV) With only two days to go to Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Cyprus,
where he will present the working guidelines for the October Synod for Churches in
the Middle East, the Holy Father’s thoughts turned to the people of Gaza.
At
the end of his Wednesday audience he said: “With great trepidation I followed the
tragic events that occurred near the Gaza Strip. I feel the need to express my heartfelt
condolences for the victims of these painful events, which worry those who care about
peace in the region. Again I say with a heavy heart that violence does not solve disputes,
but increases their tragic consequences and generates more violence. I appeal to those
who have political responsibilities, locally and internationally, to relentlessly
seek just solutions through dialogue, to ensure the people of the best living conditions,
harmony and serenity. Invite you to join me in prayer for the victims, their relatives
and those who suffer. The Lord will support the efforts of those who never tire of
working for reconciliation and peace”.
His comments come as Israel, facing
mounting international outrage at its raid on an aid convoy sailing to Gaza which
resulted in nine deaths, said that it would expel all activists seized on the ships
and dropped threats to prosecute some of them.
The Gaza Strip has been blockaded
by Israel since June 2007, when Hamas took control of the Palestinian territory in
the course of the Battle of Gaza (2007) from rival Palestinian group Fatah.
Egypt,
which had also observed the blockade, opened its crossing to Gaza on Tuesday morning.