Lasting peace in Gaza ‘remote’ says Dean of Salisbury
Nick Papadopulos says the conflict has filled him with horror
The Dean of Salisbury Cathedral has described the possibility of ‘just and lasting peace’ for Israel and Palestine as ‘dreadfully remote’.
Speaking in a video on Salisbury Cathedral’s YouTube page, The Very Reverend Nicholas Papadopulos said that, despite the injustice of occupation, the actions of Hamas cannot be excused.
“I’ve struggled to articulate what I have felt,” he said, “The killing of civilians and children, the taking of hostages and the proclamation that these acts are carried out in the name of God, have filled me with horror.”
The region is considered a Holy Land by those of Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Bahá faiths as it’s believed to be the location for the birth, death and resurrection of Christ.
“It’s (the Holy Land) life, it’s health and it’s well-being are matters of deep passionate concern to me,” The Dean said, adding that he hopes all other who follow Christ felt the horror of the violence that’s been unleashed and despair at the hatred being exposed.
The Dean said a blind eye can no longer be turned to the suffering of people in the region, saying: “We must pray for nothing less than the victory of light over darkness, hope over fear, of life over death.”