Holy Land: The end of war is in sight

Jerusalem's Old City © ACN

Source: ACN

A Christian leader in the Holy Land has expressed optimism regarding the ongoing conflict, saying that "the peak of the war in Gaza is behind us."

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem told Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), that the end of the war is approaching - but the suspension of military operations does not equal peace.

Cardinal Pizzaballa said it is difficult to tell what life will be like in Gaza after the war. "It will take years to rebuild - and I am sure the border with Israel will remain closed, so what is the future for these people?"

The Patriarch said he was alarmed by the atmosphere of distrust in the Holy Land these days: "What concerns me is the level of hatred. The hate speech, the language of contempt, the denial of the other is very problematic." He added: "We have had other wars, but there is a before and an after 7th October, because the kind of violence that took place, and the emotional impact on the respective populations, has been enormous."

Cardinal Pizzaballa stressed that, after the war, it will be possible to "rebuild the infrastructure - but how can we rebuild relationships?"

He said that the Christian community is in an advantageous position to contribute to the restoration of peace in the Holy Land "because we are so small (1.5 percent of the population) and politically irrelevant, we have the freedom to connect with everyone.

"Where there are so many wounds and divisions, being able to reconnect is one of the main missions for the future."

The war in Gaza has had a devastating economic impact on the Holy Land's Christian population.

Almost all the Christians in the West Bank who worked in Israel have had their permits revoked since the beginning of the conflict, and those who worked in the tourism sector have lost their livelihoods due to the cancellation of pilgrimages.

ACN help in the Holy Land since October 2023 has included emergency aid, food, housing, school fees and medical assistance to hundreds of Christian families, as well as job creation programmes, support for Christian-run organisations and pastoral projects.

The charity has also provided subsistence aid, Mass stipends, transportation, support for church construction projects and help with the formation of priests and religious congregations.

Cardinal Pizzaballa said it is essential for Christians to remain in the region to "keep the memory of Jesus alive in the land of Jesus. If you identify the hope for the future with a political solution, there is no hope, because there is no short-term solution. However, hope is an attitude of life - a way of seeing the reality of your life with faith.

"Faith is to believe in the presence of God, who transcends our earthly life. If you can see with faith, you are able to see something that transcends the dark reality we are in."

The Patriarch concluded: "Everywhere, from Gaza to the West Bank, Jerusalem and Israel, I see wonderful people ready to commit themselves to doing something for others. Where there are these acts of selfless love, there is hope, it means it is possible to change something. Maybe we cannot change the macro political situation, but we can change something where we are, and this is what comforts me."

With thanks to Filipe d'Avillez

LINK

Aid to the Church in Need: www.acnuk.org