…..in finding a way out of the violence escalating between Israel and Hamas, says the Vatican’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations at Geneva.

The address was

intended to express the Holy See’s “solidarity with both
the people in Gaza, who are dying and suffering because of the on-going
military assault by the Israeli Defence Forces, and the people in
Sderot, Ashkelon and other Israeli cities who are living under the
constant terror of rocket attacks launched by Palestinian militants
from within the Gaza Strip, which have caused casualties and wounded a
number of people”.

He recalled that Pope Benedict recently said

“that military options are no solution and that
violence, wherever it comes from and whatever form it takes, must be
firmly condemned”.

“It is evident”, the permanent observer went on, “that the warring
parties are not able to exit from this vicious circle of violence
without the help of the international community that should therefore
fulfil its responsibilities, intervene actively to stop the bloodshed,
provide access for emergency humanitarian assistance, and end all forms
of confrontation.

“At the same time”, he added, “the international community should
remain engaged in removing the root causes of the conflict that can
only be resolved within the framework of a lasting solution of the
greater Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the international
resolutions adopted during the years”.

How to remain engaged in removing the root causes of this violence? Pray.