The Vatican's Permanent Observer to the United Nations in Geneva reinforced the Pope's official stance on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, calling for an immediate ceasefire to the fighting.
ARCH. SILVANO TOMASI
Permanent Observer to the United Nations in Geneva
'In the long run, there can be no winners in the current tragedy, only more suffering. Most of the victims are civilians, who by international humanitarian law, should be protected.â?
Archbishop Tomasi did not place blame on either side for the escalation in the latest conflict. However, he described as 'intolerableâ? the high number of Palestinian civilian deaths, as well as the rockets fired indiscriminately at Israelis. Tomasi also invoked the Pope's visit to the Holy Land in May, and the prayer for peace in June in calling both sides to dialogue.
ARCH. SILVANO TOMASI
Permanent Observer to the United Nations in Geneva
'With violence, men and women will continue to live as enemies and adversaries, but with peace they can live as brothers and sisters.â?
The Geneva-based U.N. Human Rights Council convened a special session to discuss the Gaza offensive. But the Council is under constant criticism itself. It has passed more resolutions against Israel, than all other countries combined, while failing to address other sensitive issues. Critics also denounce the participation in the Council of non-democratic countries accused of committing human rights abuses themselves.
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