On October 19, the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN gave an intervention during the Security Council Open Debate on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question.”  

In its statement, the Holy See expressed its grave concern over the gradual movement away from the two-State solution between Israel and Palestine promoted in the Madrid peace process and the Oslo Accords. Unless Israel and Palestine agree to exist side-by-side, peace and security in the region will remain illusory. The Palestinian Question, the Holy See noted, is part of the turmoil impacting the Middle East and beyond where the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity and Islam has become a “theater of incredible brutality.” It reiterated Pope Francis’ call for an urgent cease fire in Aleppo and other parts of Syria and called on the Security Council to lead the international community to stop the bloodshed and destruction. It also called on the international community to foster the dialogue necessary not only to stop war but foster peace.

The official English translation of the statement, pronounced in Arabic, can be found here.