Archbishop decries Jerusalem car attacks: ‘We are acting like savages’

Last updated on: November 7, 2014 at 12:29 am by CNA Daily News

Archbishop decries Jerusalem car attacks: ‘We are acting like savages’ 2014-11-07T00:29:00+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.

Jerusalem, Israel, Nov 6, 2014 / 05:29 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- A Melkite-Greek Catholic archbishop has lamented recent car attacks in Jerusalem, saying that such actions are inhuman and tear down society.

“It is terrible not only here, but in Iraq and Syria, it’s terrible to see all of this suffering. We have not been created to kill each other this way. We are acting like savages, even the animals are better than us,” Archbishop Joseph Jules Zerey told CNA Nov. 6.

The archbishop’s comments came in wake of the second car attack against pedestrians in two weeks, as a Palestinian man reportedly killed a police officer and injured 13 other people on Nov. 5, ramming a white van into a group of pedestrians in East Jerusalem.

A similar attack took place two weeks ago, when a Palestinian drove a van into pedestrians at a train stop in the same area, killing a baby and an Ecuadorian woman, according to reports.

The attacks come amid continued clashes at Jerusalem’s Temple Mount/al-Haram al-Sharif compound. Known to Jews as the Temple Mount, the holiest site in Jerusalem, the area also contains the al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock; it is among the holiest sites in all of Islam.

Recent days have seen an increase in violent tension at the site, with young people throwing rocks and setting off fireworks, at one point causing the compound to be closed down temporarily.

To kill innocent people like this is “not the way, it’s terrible (and) I’m very, very sorry for this,” Archbishop Zerey said. “I want everybody to work for peace, to love each other and to respect others. I’m very sorry when they are using this way to attack innocent people in the streets.”

What all people need to understand is that peace is only built through love, humility and making great sacrifices for the sake of peace and the good of others, he explained, saying that both sides must do the best they can to make peace for the sake of their citizens.

“Everybody from the two parts has to understand…I really pray every day for peace among all of us, and I hope we can really arrive to a real peace among all of the people.”

According to BBC News, Hamas militants have claimed responsibility for the attack, calling it a heroic act, and referring to the driver, who was killed by police, as a martyr.

These latest car attacks fall just two months after Israel and Palestine established a long-term ceasefire after 50 days of bombing in the Gaza Strip, which left more than 2,200 people dead, most of them Palestinians.

Amid the continuing violence, Archbishop Zerey called on those who have power to use it in order “to save the others, respect the others, to give human rights to everybody; human rights (and) love.”

He referred to current violent conflicts happening not only in Jerusalem, but all over the world, saying that everyone must learn to respect each other, rather than persecute one another because they think or believe differently.

“My Christian faith makes me respect the other and love the other, do the best for the other. This is why our Lord Jesus Christ came and gave his life for us, so we can convert and love the other whatever he is, whether he’s a Jew, a Muslim or any other religion. We have to respect each other and love each other.”

The archbishop explained that he “cannot accept” what is happening, and called on citizens and government leaders worldwide to work toward building peace and respect for others, regardless of their faith or religious convictions.

“I have to respect him, respect his human rights, but also to help the other, whatever he is, to live in his human dignity.”

Middle East - Africa

Previous Post

November 6, 2014

Spanish nurse survives Ebola, thanks God for recovery

Next Post

November 7, 2014 Pray – with your iPhone? How one mobile app unites users in prayer

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

Which branch of Christianity traces its leadership back to the Apostle Peter?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Eastern Orthodox Lutheran United Church of Christ Roman Catholic