Jerusalem Bishop Shomali reflects on U.S. Secretary of State’s recent visit to Holy Land

(Vatican Radio) The Auxiliary Bishop of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem says challenges remain in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and expresses his hopes for the success of recent visit by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. In an article published on the Patriarchate’s website, Bishop William Shomali analyzes Kerry’s three-day visit (April 7- 9, 2013) to the Holy Land, aimed at reviving peace talks suspended since September 2010.

“I think the Secretary of State, John Kerry is motivated and serious. He did not come here to travel. He seems to be aware of the need for peace in the Holy Land for the overall balance of the region,” Bishop Shomali says. The visit of the head of U.S. diplomacy came after renewed tensions and discontent in the Palestinian territories following the death of an ailing Palestinian in Israeli custody. However, Bishop Shomali expresses his conviction that “the Palestinian Authority will not in any way renew a violent uprising. A third intifada would destroy any chance of peace.” But, Bishop Shomali notes with concern the inner tensions in the country. “On one hand, he said, I expect that the efforts of John Kerry will lead to frustration, as was the case after dozens of visits by politicians before him. On the other hand, we are driven by a positive interior hope. We do not know when peace will come, but we know it will come one day. Our prayer (Christians, as well as non-Christians) tends toward this objective and we recognize the role of politicians as mediators.”

John Kerry’s visit came two weeks after President Obama’s own trip to the region. Opting for a “quiet diplomacy”, Kerry urged Israelis and Palestinians not to “give in to haste.” The Palestinian President received the U.S. Secretary last Sunday in Ramallah (West Bank). Mahmoud Abbas presented a list of demands for the resumption of negotiations, including a freeze on Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and a resumption of talks based on the 1967 borders (those prior to the beginning of occupation of Palestinian territories by Israel). The President of the Palestinian Authority also called for the release of the oldest Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
On Monday, April 8, Kerry said that peace was possible by respecting the “security needs of Israel” and the “aspirations for a state” of the Palestinians. To achieve this, Kerry and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to “do their homework in the coming weeks,” the U.S. Secretary of State said. The Israeli Prime Minister for his part said “he is determined not only to resume the peace process with the Palestinians but also to make a serious effort to end the conflict once and for all.”
One hundred American Jewish leaders have added their voices to calls for peace, urging Benjamin Netanyahu to commit to peace. In an April 3 letter sponsored by the Israel Policy Forum and addressed to the Israeli Prime Minister, they urged him to take “concrete confidence-building measures to show Israel’s commitment to the two-state solution for two people, to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” The signatories of the letter asked the Israeli Premier to “work closely with the Secretary of State to develop pragmatic initiatives consistent with the security needs of Israel, while expressing to Israel the willingness to make painful territorial sacrifices for the sake of peace.” They hope that this initiative will encourage “the Palestinian leadership to take similar positive steps including and especially, a rapid return to the negotiating table.”
In commenting on this development, Bishop Shomali says “this letter has its weight and will help John Kerry in his mission.” And the Bishop of Jerusalem expresses this hope: “If John Kerry gets the settlement freeze, then yes, it would be encouraging for the resumption of peace talks.”