WE THE PATRIARCHS AND THE HEADS OF CHURCHES IN JERUSALEM

Appeal to our Brothers and Sisters around the world to help in a time of urgent need in the Holy Land.

Following the targeted killings, there has been a dramatic intervention, within the last few hours, in the Autonomous Palestinian Territories by the Israeli Armed Forces. Tanks are everywhere; buildings have been sieged; some areas are under curfew and there is extensive shooting.

We are particularly concerned about Bethlehem (The place of our Saviour's Birth) with Beit Jala and Beit Sahour, Aida Refugee Camp, Al-Bireh, Ramallah, Jenin, Nablus, and Gaza. The restrictions on movement preventing people going to work, attending school and even university, mean that Charitable Institutions, Hospitals, etc ...are placed under great strain to care for residents and patients. Children everywhere are being traumatized.

At a time when Western Leaders are concerned with fighting terrorism it seems that Palestinian residents (both Moslem and Christian) are subjected to similar acts for which the world takes little notice.

Whilst we deplore all acts of violence, we appeal to World Church Leaders and the International Community to make urgent representation to the Israeli Government to bring this intolerable situation to an immediate end and begin the process of negotiations in order to work towards a peaceful and a just solution.

+ Patriarch Irenios I: Greek Orthodox Patriarchate
+ Patriarch Michel Sabbah: Latin Patriarchate
+ Patriarch Torkom II: Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Patriarchate
Father Giovanni Battistelli: Custody of the Holy Land
+ Anba Abraham: Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate
+ Swerios Malki Mourad: Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate
+ Abba Cuostos: Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarchate
+ Riah Abu Al-Assal: Episcopal Church of Jerusalem & the Middle East
+ Mounib Younan: Evangelical Lutheran Church
+ Archimandrite Nabil Safieh: Greek Catholic (Melkite) Patriarchal Exarchate
Jerusalem, October 19, 2001