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In a statement on violence in the Middle East, Bishop of Colombo Rt. Rev. Duleep de Chickera says the church is deeply distressed by the horrendous surge of violence in the Holy Land.

The Bishop urges the people and the government to pray for peace and exert whatever pressure possible on all parties involved to halt violence and return to negotiations.

The statement:

"Our church is deeply distressed by the horrendous surge of violence in the Holy Land. This has deep historical roots for which the blame attaches not merely to the two protagonists in the current violence. Other provocative and interested parties must also take their share of the blame. But the heart of the matter undoubtedly is the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory in defiance of Untied Nations resolutions. Between 1948 and 1949, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were uprooted and driven away from their homes. To date, they remain displaced and lead a desperate life as homeless refugees. In 1967, there was further illegal occupation of Palestinian lands in the West Bank and Gaza.

"Security concerns of the state of Israel and the domestic threats it may be facing real or imagined, cannot justify the kind of violence it has unleashed on the people of Palestine. The armed forces of any State should never be used as instruments of terror. Unfortunately, this has been the experience of many Palestinians. Terror only feeds terror. Violence can never bring an end to violence.

The use of suicide bombers must be condemned, even if they are used as acts of desperation against armed might. It is an offence against God's justice and only creates obstacles to the search for peace.

"In a recent letter to President George Bush, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of USA stated that he was 'truly alarmed by the massive military response of Israel to the deplorable suicide bombings and particularly by the reported executions, denial of access by medical personnel, and immense destruction of property and infrastructure'. Credible independent reports speak of the besieged enclaves of Palestinians being prevented from receiving humanitarian aid, of ambulances being turned away, health care workers being harassed, homes destroyed and streets filled with death. We cannot and must not remain silent witnesses to this violence against humanity.

"I have been in touch with the Bishop of Jerusalem and the Middle East and have no doubt that the struggle for peace by the vast majority of Palestinians is a humane one. I have also no doubt that many Israelis want peace and want a humane handling of the issues of Palestinian statehood and Palestinian refugees. Sensible persons are available to offer and promote a sensible direction for peace.

"I urge the people of our country, and our Government, to pray for peace and exert whatever pressure possible on all parties involved to halt violence and return to negotiations so that the people of the land of the Holy One can enjoy sustainable peace.

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