From Justice & Peace Scotland

The European Justice and Peace Commission has called for de-escalation of violence in the Middle East following military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran.  In a statement endorsed by Justice and Peace Scotland, it states:

‘We wish to express our profound concern over the ongoing spiral of violence currently afflicting Iran and the broader Middle East region.

‘No country, however powerful, should place itself above the core principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.  Mutual threats and the use of weapons can never constitute a lasting solution to conflict. On the contrary, they only amplify them: they deepen resentment and hatred, destabilise entire regions and erode the very foundations of global peace and security.

‘We call upon the European Union and the international community to engage in tireless and united efforts towards de-escalation and the full respect of international law. Respect for the inherent dignity of every human person and particular concern for the poorest and most vulnerable must remain at the heart of these efforts’.

Occupation

Following a visit to the Holy land in January, a delegation of bishops from Europe and North America, which included Archbishop Nolan of Glasgow, called for an immediate end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank.  They urged the international community to revive meaningful negotiations towards a two-state solution and highlighted the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the ‘relentless’ system of occupation that threatens the human dignity of all who live there.

In a communique issued after their visit, they said:

‘The settlements in the West Bank, illegal under international law, continue to expand by commandeering the land of others.  The universality of human rights applies to all without exception.  Instead, it is relentlessly replaced by a system where dignity and protection depend on one’s civil status.

‘We affirm Israel's right to exist and for Israelis to live in peace and security; equally we call for these same rights to be upheld for all those rooted in this land.

‘We urge our governments to exert pressure on Israel to uphold the rules-based international order to revive meaningful negotiations towards a two-state solution for the benefit and security of all.

‘We were deeply moved by the faith and steadfastness of local Christians and by people of other faiths who work to sustain the hope of their communities’.

Archbishop Nolan spoke of a land scarred by conflict but held together by a fragile hope. He said:

‘This land is for everyone who lives here and that has to be accepted by all sides…  Life here will not improve until the occupation comes to an end.  At the heart of the problem is this: the Palestinians live under a military occupation in the West Bank and in Gaza… we do need them to be given a state of their own.

‘There are many impressive people working for justice and peace, and they are the people who give us hope.  Everyone wants peace… if only everyone could realise that the only way to peace is through justice’.

The bishops’ visit, which took place from 17-22 January, marked the 25^th visit undertaken by the Co-ordination of Episcopal Conferences in support of the church of the Holy Land.  The group was proposed by the Holy See at the end of the last century as a way of co-ordinating the interests of bishops in from various countries, especially those which have historically influenced events in the Holy Land.