Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The Latest

Pope Francis delivers a Regina Coeli address at the Vatican.

Pope Francis: Children’s deaths in Israel-Gaza conflict ‘terrible and unacceptable’

May 16, 2021

The pope said that the violence risked “degenerating into a spiral of death and destruction.” Read more

U.S. bishops pray for peace as Israel-Hamas conflict rages

May 13, 2021

The U.S. bishops’ conference offered prayers for peace in the Holy Land on Thursday, as conflict between Israel and Hamas... Read more

The Old City of Jerusalem.

Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem says violence requires ‘an urgent intervention’

May 11, 2021

By Courtney Mares

“It is our duty not to ignore injustice nor any aggression against human dignity regardless of who is committing them.” Read more

A bishop of the Holy Land Coordination surveys the construction of the separation wall in Palestine's Cremisan Valley, Jan. 17, 2017.

Bishops reiterate need for direct Israel-Palestine negotiations if there is to be peace

Jan 24, 2021

A group of Christian leaders who advocate for the Holy Land this week reiterated a call for Israeli and Palestinian... Read more

Cross atop the seminary in Beit Jala, Palestine.

Israeli forces remove 6th-century baptismal font from Palestinian town

Jul 22, 2020

Israeli forces on July 20 carried out an operation to retrieve a Byzantine-era baptisimal font that they said was stolen... Read more

A bishop surveys the construction of a separation wall in Palestine's Cremisan Valley, Jan. 17, 2017.

Vatican tells Israel, US that annexation could jeopardize peace process

Jul 2, 2020

Ahead of possible Israeli action to annex Palestinian territories, Holy See Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin met with the... Read more

Old City Jerusalem.

Vatican expresses concern over potential West Bank annexation

May 20, 2020

By Courtney Mares

As Israel’s new government considers annexing parts of the West Bank, the Palestinian Liberation Organization’s chief negotiator appealed to the... Read more

Palestinians mourn the death of Mohammed Hamayel, 15, during his funeral in Beita in the West Bank, March 11, 2020, after he was shot by Israeli forces.

Israeli forces kill Palestinian minor in West Bank

Mar 11, 2020

Mohammed Hamayal, a 15-year-old Palestinian boy, was shot and killed by Israeli troops Wednesday during a clash in the West... Read more

A bishop of the Holy Land Coordination surveys the construction of a separation wall in Palestine's Cremisan Valley, Jan. 17, 2017.

US bishops: Israel and Palestine must 'negotiate directly' if there is to be peace

Feb 5, 2020

After US president Donald Trump and Israeli president Benjamin Netanyahu last month proposed a two-state peace plan for Israel and... Read more

A view overlooking the Dome of the Rock and the Western Wall.

U.S. Middle East plan could lead to 'more bloodshed', bishops warn

Jan 29, 2020

The proposed Israeli-Palestinian peace plan announced this week is “no solution,” Catholic bishops of the Holy Land said on Wednesday.  Read more

Banner for the Likud party showing President Donald Trump shaking hands with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a building in Jerusalem.

Trump and Netanyahu propose two-state plan for Israel-Palestine peace

Jan 28, 2020

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposed a new peace plan for the Middle East on Tuesday.... Read more

Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the US Military Archdiocese says Mass at the Holy Family Latin Parish in Gaza with the Holy Land Coordination, Jan. 12, 2020.

Bishops visiting Holy Land ask for application of international law

Jan 17, 2020

Following a trip to the Holy Land, a group of bishops from the United States and Europe called on their... Read more

Palestine and Israel border.

Vatican affirms need for two-state solution after U.S. shift on Israeli settlements

Nov 20, 2019

The Holy See on Wednesday reaffirmed its support of a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, after recent shifts in... Read more

The city of Taiz in southern Yemen. Yemen / Taiz City. 2018-11-02

In UN address, Holy See voices support for ceasefire in Yemen

Oct 29, 2019

A nationwide ceasefire is essential to ease the suffering of the people of Yemen, which has been in a civil... Read more

Father Joney Babhah of St. Joseph Parish in Jifna. Courtesy photo.

How a Palestinian village sheds light on the drama of Christians in the Holy Land 

Oct 3, 2019

Jifna is a Palestinian village in the West Bank, just 5 miles north of Ramallah –the de facto capital of... Read more

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Catholic bishops lament setbacks for Holy Land peace, but call for a better path

May 25, 2019

Peace, mutual equality, and respect must be the foundation of progress in Israeli-Palestinian relations, despite continued setbacks, the Assembly of... Read more

The Gaza-Israel border.

Catholic leaders condemn use of disproportionate force at Gaza-Israel border

May 16, 2018

By Courtney Mares

During his Wednesday audience, Pope Francis lamented the latest violence in the Israeli-Palestine conflict, expressing his distress that the region... Read more

Children amid devastated buildings in Gaza.

As Palestinian Christians flee Gaza, priest expresses grave concern

Apr 9, 2018

In the past six years the number of Christians in the Gaza Strip has plummeted from 4,500 to just 1,000,... Read more

Vice President Mike Pence.

Pence in Israel: US is committed to persecuted Christians, peace process

Jan 23, 2018

By Courtney Mares

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence reaffirmed America’s commitment to both peace and persecuted Christians during his four-day trip to Israel... Read more

Boys play soccer on a basketball court in Jerusalem.

Christians in Holy Land voice fear over Trump's Jerusalem move

Dec 7, 2017

By Elise Harris

Christians leaders in Jerusalem have voiced fear over the repercussionss of America's recognition of the city as Israel's capital, asking... Read more