Faith leaders and activists for coexistence from across Israel gathered in prayer in front of the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem May 10, in a week that once again saw yet another increase in violence between Israel and the Palestinians.
Israel
Holy Land Spirals Into Violence Amid Celebrations of Passover, Easter and Ramadan
A British-Israeli mother and her two daughters were killed in a drive-by-shooting terrorist attack in the Jordan valley on April 7, during a week that, instead of seeing the holidays of Passover, Easter and Ramadan celebrated in parallel peacefully, spiraled the region into violence.
Holy Land Patriarchs in Easter Message Place ‘Ultimate Hope Only God’ Amid Increasing Attacks on Christian Sites
Just as early Christians were sustained by the words of St. Peter describing Jesus’ resurrection as offering a “new birth into a living hope,” so too should the Christians of the Holy Land today be encouraged and empowered by this knowledge as they face tumultuous times, when their own faith continues to be tested, said the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in their March 31 Easter message.
Church Leaders in Jerusalem Call for Calm Amid Fresh Wave of Violence
With rising tensions between Israelis and Palestinians reaching new heights over the past week amid a spate of fresh killings, Church leaders in the West Bank have condemned the violence and called for a lasting resolution that respects international law.
Major Project Makes Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem’s Old City Accessible to All
After 10 years of systematic work, the Old City of Jerusalem is more accessible to the disabled and the elderly.
Catholic Palestinian Gets Kidney Transplant From Slain Jewish Israeli
For nine years, Randa Aweis battled kidney disease, urgently in need of a transplant. In mid-May, a donor was found for the 58-year-old mother of six, a Catholic Palestinian who lives in Jerusalem.
Pope Francis Calls for Prayers for Forgiveness, Coexistence in Holy Land
Pope Francis has called on the world’s Catholics to pray May 22 for dialogue, forgiveness and peaceful coexistence in the Holy Land.
Pope Francis Appeals for Peace in Holy Land, Says Death of Children ‘Unacceptable’
The injury and death of so many innocent people, especially children, caused by escalating violence between Israel and the Gaza Strip is “terrible and unacceptable,” putting the area at risk of sinking into “a spiral of death and destruction,” Pope Francis said.
Israel Signs Diplomatic Pacts With Two Arab States at White House
On Sept. 15 at the White House, Israel signed diplomatic pacts to normalize relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. While specific details of the pacts are not yet public, the three countries will open embassies and establish economic ties including tourism, technology, and energy.
Palestinians Say Trump Peace Plan Does Not Bode Well For the Future
Among other aspects of the plan announced Jan. 28, Trump proposed the recognition of Israeli sovereignty over West Bank settlements, creating Israeli enclave communities in the heart of the West Bank while promising the possibility of a future independent Palestinian state under certain conditions.