VATICAN CITY (CNS): Pope John Paul II has criticised Israel’s building of a wall to keep out Palestinians, and has called for a global movement against terrorism following deadly attacks in Iraq and Turkey.
“In reality, the Holy Land does not need walls, but bridges. Without reconciliation of souls, there can be no peace,” the Pope said at a blessing on November 16.
He renewed his “strong condemnation” of all acts of terrorism in the Holy Land and said it was disappointing that the peace process seemed blocked.
The Vatican has stepped up criticism of the Israeli security barrier, which when completed will stretch more than 320 km along the Israeli border and deep into sections of the West Bank.
Earlier, Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, a Vatican envoy, said the wall would institute a “geography of apartheid” and foment more violence.
