杏MAP导航

Vatican News

"A war without limits": That is how Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican鈥檚 Secretary of State, described the situation in Gaza during a phone interview Friday evening, 18 July, with the news program TG2 Post produced by Italy's public broadcaster RAI. The Cardinal spoke of a situation that has gone beyond any limits and marked a grave development, calling for transparency regarding last Thursday鈥檚 military attack on the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza, which caused three deaths and ten injuries, including the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli.

Concerning the many ongoing wars, he reiterated that the Holy See is always open to mediation, but that 鈥渕ediation,鈥� he emphasized, 鈥渙nly works when both sides accept it.鈥� He also commented on the phone call that took place yesterday between the 杏MAP导航 and Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Excerpts of the interview of RAI TG2 Post with Cardinal Parolin

How do you view Prime Minister Netanyahu鈥檚 phone call to the 杏MAP导航?

I believe it was appropriate; it was absolutely necessary to explain to the 杏MAP导航 directly and to inform him about what happened, given the gravity of the incident. So I see the call as a positive gesture, and I find the Israeli Prime Minister鈥檚 desire to speak directly with 杏MAP导航 Leo to be positive. Now, I think there are three things to expect following this phone call to the 杏MAP导航: First of all, the real results of the promised investigation must be made known. The initial explanation given was that it was a mistake, but there were assurances there would be an investigation into the matter. So, it鈥檚 essential that this investigation be carried out seriously and that its findings be shared publicly. Secondly, after so many words, we finally need to see actions. I truly hope that what the Prime Minister said can become a reality as soon as possible, because the situation in Gaza is truly unbearable.

It seems like we鈥檙e facing a war without any limits鈥�

It certainly is a war without limits, based on what we鈥檝e seen. How can a population like that of Gaza be destroyed and starved like this? Many boundaries have already been crossed. We鈥檝e said it from the beginning as the Holy See鈥檚 diplomatic corps: the well-known issue of proportionality. Regarding this specific episode, if what you鈥檝e described is accurate, it marks a dramatic development. Again, I say: let鈥檚 take the time needed to truly understand what happened鈥攚hether it really was a mistake, something which can legitimately be doubted, or whether there was a deliberate intent to strike a Christian church, knowing how Christians serve as a moderating force in the Middle East, including in relations between Palestinians and Jews. If that鈥檚 the case, it would mean that once again, there鈥檚 an intention to eliminate any element that might help lead to at least a ceasefire, and eventually, peace.

There are many open war fronts. What more can the Holy See do in terms of diplomatic mediation?

We remain open鈥攊ndeed, we offer our assistance. This has been done on several occasions. Beyond that, I truly see it as difficult to take further steps, especially because if we use the word 鈥渕ediation鈥� in its technical sense, it only works when both parties accept it. There must be willingness from each of the two sides in the conflict鈥攖wo countries or two populations鈥攖o accept the Holy See鈥檚 mediation. We will continue to insist, as we always have, without losing hope, but technically it鈥檚 very difficult. As you鈥檝e seen, even the many mediations not involving the Vatican haven鈥檛 worked so far. Political will is needed to end a war, knowing that the cost of war is terrible for everyone in every way.

Do you see that political will?

Unfortunately鈥� I don鈥檛 want to be too negative鈥� I hope so. You mentioned Prime Minister Netanyahu鈥檚 words about a ceasefire being close: I鈥檇 like to believe it.