COUNCIL DECLARATION ON ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT

VATICAN CITY, NOV 7, 2000 (VIS) - Following is the text of a declaration released today by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, and signed by Cardinal Francis Arinze, council president:

"In the last weeks the situation in Israel and in the Territories under the Palestinian Authority has deteriorated seriously. Tension has mounted, and conflict has resulted in a large number of victims.

"We wish to express our solidarity with all who have lost members of their families, and with all those who continue to suffer.

"We therefore appeal to the Jewish and Palestinian people to forgo violence and to take up once again that dialogue which is the only way to true peace.

"We reaffirm the importance of the Holy City of Jerusalem for Jews, Christians and Muslims. There can be no exclusive claim to the city. Jerusalem belongs moreover to the spiritual patrimony of humanity. There must be free access to its Holy Places for all, and especially for Jews, Christians and Muslims."

It concludes by stating that "religious leaders must be conscious of their responsibility in this matter."

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