Vatican condemns anti-Israeli statements

The Vatican press office issued the following statement from Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls, yesterday. "The serious events in the Holy Land over the last few days are a cause of grave concern to the Holy See which, uniting itself with the entire international community, expresses its own firm condemnation of acts of violence - the terrorist attack on Hadera and the subsequent retaliation - from whichever side they come, and of certain particularly serious and unacceptable declarations denying the right of existence to the State of Israel. "On this occasion, the Holy See reaffirms the right of both Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security, each in their own sovereign State. "At the same time, the Holy See feels the duty to renew its appeal to the leaders of all the peoples of the Middle East, to listen to the longing for peace and justice that rises from the population, to avoid actions and decisions leading to division and death, and to commit themselves with courage and determination to creating the minimum conditions necessary for dialogue to resume, which is the only way to guarantee a future of peace and prosperity to the children of that land." Source: VIS