Holy See: Palestinian-Israeli Conflict Needs a Solution

(November 4, 2010) A solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains a vital part of finding solutions to the numerous problems that bring "chaos" to the entire Middle East, many of which have serious ramifications around the world, says the Holy See. Archbishop Francis Chullikatt, permanent observer of the Holy See at the United Nations, stated this Tuesday before the Special Political and Decolonization Committee on the U.N. and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. "The United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and the Pontifical Mission for Palestine," reiterated Archbishop Chullikatt, "have been working for over 60 years to assist the Palestine refugees by providing medical, educational and other social services, services which would normally be the responsibility of the local governing authority." "Nonetheless," the prelate added, "my delegation is confident that there exist men and women of good will who have the desire and dedication to promote the establishment of such a governing authority." The archbishop reminded the assembly that "it is the view of the Holy See that many of the issues raised in the year's report of the Commissioner-General of UN Relief Agency are in essence the symptoms of larger issues which have festered in the region for far too many years." The permanent observer hoped that the renewed peace process "can address the root causes of these symptoms and, once and for all, assist the Israelis and the Palestinians in establishing a secure state for the citizens of Israel and a secure State to be the homeland of the Palestine people."