FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2016

On January 26, The Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN gave an intervention during the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on “The Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question”

In its statement, the Holy See said negotiations and fair mutual concessions between Palestine and Israel, with strong support from the international community, are crucial for the neighboring countries acquire a future of peace and security, with internationally recognized borders.  The Holy See addressed the Comprehensive Agreement it signed with Palestine, which concerns the activity of the Church in Palestine and went into action on January 2, and said it hopes the Agreement will serve as an example of dialogue, especially in the Middle East, where Christians suffer persecution in some countries.

The Holy See also expressed its support for Security Council Resolution 2254, which calls for a political settlement to the conflict in Syria, advocating for an end of the flow of arms and intensified humanitarian action for refugees and Syrians who remain in the country. The Holy See noted the importance of the talks scheduled to begin in Geneva later this week as well as the Fourth Humanitarian Conference scheduled for February 4, and said these negotiations are the best chance the International Community has to bring a stable and lasting peace to Syria and to the region.

The Statement was delivered in Arabic. Arabic and English versions can be found here.