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Jerusalem, 7.3.2008
To H.E. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
To the Grand Rabbinate
We write to express our condolences for the killing
of the Yeshiva students, not least to the parents and families of
the victims. It is a sad and tragic event coming from the cycle of
violence in which the whole Land is victim. We appeal to you,
political and religious leaders of Israel, to find ways to put an
end to all violence so as to free all of us from this infernal cycle
of violence of which we all are victims. In the name of the
believers in this Land, we reaffirm our determination to work for
peace and the end of all violence. Only peace is needed and new ways
must be found for the Land called to be Holy by the Almighty for the
Jewish people and for the Palestinians. We pray that God will
inspire all of us to submit to His ways in order to reach a
comprehensive and just peace with a total security for you and for
all.
Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem
On Their behalf: Patriarch Theofilos III
Patriarch Michel Sabbah
Patriarch Torkom Manooghian
Fr Pier Battista Pizziballa, of, Custos of the Holy
Land
Jerusalem, 7.3.2008
Mr President Mahmoud Abbs Abu Mazen
President of the Palestinian Authority
ًWe
the Patriarchs and Heads of the Christian Churches in Jerusalem
address this letter to you to express our condolences for all the
victims who have fallen and are still falling in this wave of
violence in Gaza. We share the tragedy with our people and with all
those who are exposed to death today and to further violence. We
know that you do not spare any effort in your attempts to reach a
comprehensive and just peace. Nevertheless, we urge you to do
whatever possible to find rapid and opportune ways to bring back the
unity of the Palestinian people; heal all the wounds, in order that
the tragedy of which all of us are victims, today more than ever,
will come to an end. We join you with our prayers as we ask God to
inspire you in efficient ways to reach agreement with the concerned
Israeli Authorities to stop all violence, so as to work for the
achievement of peace, despite all the grave difficulties which are
known to all of us.
May God give you strength and wisdom to keep
you well in order to lead the Palestinian people to peace and
security.
Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem
Patriarch Theofilos III
Patriarch Michel Sabbah
Patriarch Torkom Manooghian
Fr Pier Battista Pizziballa, ofm, Custos of the Holy Land
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