Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Catholic News

Home

Home
Catholic
Religion News
New wave of violence takes on human face, priest in Israel says

New wave of violence takes on human face, priest in Israel says

Last updated on: July 4, 2014 at 2:12 pm by CNA Daily News

New wave of violence takes on human face, priest in Israel says 2014-07-04T14:12:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Vatican City, Jul 4, 2014 / 08:12 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Latin Patriarchal Vicar of Jerusalem has decried the new eruption of violence in Israel and Palestine following the murder of 4 teens, stating that it can only be ended by humanizing the other side.

“This cycle of violence is always hovering over us but this particular episode brings it home in a horrific way because suddenly it took on real humanity,” Fr. David Neuhaus, S.J., told CNA July 2 in reference to the recent kidnapping and murder of 3 Israeli teenagers.

“We got to know the three boys, their courageous and noble mothers, their families … it is often more anonymous… people dying whose stories we do not know, whose families we never see.”

Noting how right now “is a time of enormous sadness as the cycle of violence is supreme,” the priest explained that “the three boys were kidnapped and murdered in cold blood,” and lamented the fact that Israeli officials have used their death as an excuse to increase attacks.

Following the discovery of the teenagers’ bodies Monday, Israel launched 34 airstrikes over the Gaza Strip, which officials stated was a response to 18 rockets that had previously been fired into Israel from Gaza, and blasts from both sides have continued throughout the week.

“Immediately the Israeli authorities used the kidnapping to carry out hundreds of arrests and continue a war that has been going on for too long” he observed, stating that “with the discovery of the bodies, Israeli extremists began looking for opportunities to take revenge.”

Drawing attention to the kidnap and murder of Mohammed Abu Khdair, a 16-year-old from Palestine whose body was found Wednesday in West Jerusalem following the funeral of the three Israeli teens, Fr. Neuhaus explained that the killing appears to be a retaliation.

According to the BBC, Khdair’s funeral has already been postponed, causing tensions to increase following rallying and protests in Palestine. However police are slated transfer Khdair’s body to his family following Friday prayers, which end at roughly 12:30 local time.

Fr. Neuhaus explained that in the midst of the ongoing conflict both countries follow a discourse “based upon a vision of reality in which there are ‘two sides’ and a ‘wall’ between them.”

“It is a discourse that hides the humanity of one side and focuses on the humanity of another side,” he observed, stating that it “resembles Hollywood movies where the ‘good guys’ are really ‘good’ and the ‘bad guys’ are really evil!”

“Of course, ‘we’ are always the ‘good guys’ and they are always the ‘bad guys.’”

But before “we can even really embark on a true dialogue in order to find ways out of the cycle of violence” there is a need to develop “a new language,” the priest said.

“Each supposed side needs to embark on a bit of self-criticism and discover the real humanity of the supposed other side,” he noted, stating that the Church has the “great responsibility” to speak with a language that respects all: “Israelis and Palestinians, Jews, Christians and Muslims.”

Recalling Pope Francis’ recent visit to Jordan, Israel and Palestine, Fr. Neuhaus stated that he is an example of the Church’s mission to show “love and concern for all.”

“The biggest lie of all is that there are no alternatives to the cycle of violence. Pope Francis kept on pointing to the alternatives: realizing that we are brothers and sisters, children of one loving Father and that we are called to go out toward the other with generosity and creativity!”

A message that all need to hear right now is that “violence only leads to death,” the priest affirmed.

“Insistence on revenge means that we are already dead.”

The BBC reports that the Palestinian organization Hamas, which Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netinyahu has faulted for the murder of the Israeli teens, has agreed to a potential cease-fire if Israel stops their airstrikes. Israel has stated they will cease striking only when rocket blasts from Palestine stop.

Vatican

Previous Post

July 4, 2014

Freedom demands vigilance, archbishop reminds Americans

Next Post

July 4, 2014 Cardinals' council focused on Pontifical Councils for laity, family

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What king of Judah found the Book of the Law during Temple repairs?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Hezekiah Manasseh Jehoshaphat Josiah