The Vatican has reaffirmed its longstanding call for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict following a visit by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, as the U.S. says it is preparing to present its long-awaited peace plan.
Abbas met for 20 minutes Monday with Pope Francis and then the Vatican foreign minister, Monsignor Paul Gallagher.
The Vatican said the talks focused on efforts to reactivate the peace process “and to reach a two-state solution, hoping for a renewed commitment on the part of the international community to meet the legitimate aspirations of both peoples.”
A Vatican statement said Jerusalem must remain a holy city for Christians, Muslims and Jews.
It was the first visit by Abbas since the U.S. transferred its embassy and recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
(AP)
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3 Responses
zol ehr hobben ah misseh meshuna shnel
Ah… the pope that is more involved in politics than his own faith. From this pope I’ve heard about a. Immigration politics. b. Israel- Palestinian relations. c. Climate change and Paris Accord (the pope should at least not be biased towards one particular accord agreement) d. gun control. e. feminism and #Metoo. If I were Catholic, I’d be fumed that the pope is like a candidate on the Democrat platform. Because I’m proud not to be Catholic, I’m going to suggest to the Pope that it is only fair to split the Vatican into a 3 state solution- One for Catholics, one for Jews, and one for Muslims. Each should take a piece to turn into their own place of worship. He will have to forfeit 2/3 of his “kingdom” so that it is equable for all.
As your local resident in house Catholic…
I reject the Pope’s call for a Two State Solution to Peace Plan.
First and foremost because Israel was given to the Jews by G~d Himself. ALL of Israel, not piecemeal Israel. Jerusalem included. If, out of the goodness of it’s heart Israel allows Christians and Muslims to come for a visit, that’s fine. But the land belongs to Israel and the Jews who live there as a birthright given to them by G~d Himself. Nowhere in the Bible does it ever state that Jerusalem is to be shared or to belong to anyone other than the Jews – regardless of Ishmael’s family tree or of babies born in mangers.
And second because Palestinians have no interest in either controlling themselves or seeking an equitable peace. How can you govern peacefully with a people committed to your destruction? How can you govern peacefully with a people that isn’t going to be happy until they’ve annihilated every single living, breathing Jew off of the face of the earth? You can’t. Plain and simple, you can’t.
Two state solution? That’s like rewarding the dog for peeing on the carpet.