The Israeli foreign minister has expressed concerned over reports about the recent attack by Hamas on civilians in Israel. He has urged the Vatican to issue a clear and unequivocal condemnation of the act and to take a lead in defending the innocent victims, both Israeli and Palestinian.
It has been reported that a Hamas-sponsored rocket was launched from Gaza and struck a building in the Israeli city of Ashkelon late last week. Thankfully, no one was killed or seriously injured as the building was largely empty, but it does underscore the tension in the region and the fact that Hamas and their allies continue to be a clear and present danger in Israel.
In light of this attack, Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz has said he expects a “strong and unequivocal” condemnation from the Vatican. He argued that the Catholic church is uniquely positioned to take a stand against the violence and protect the innocent victims on both sides of the conflict.
Katz also warned against “any form of whitewashing” of the attack and defended Israel’s right to self-defense. He argued that Hamas has continued to launch missiles at Israel and holds “the civilian population hostage” by placing their rockets in civilian buildings in Gaza.
The Israeli foreign minister concluded his statement by calling on the Vatican to condemn all acts of terror and violence, regardless of the perpetrator. He argued that in order to achieve a lasting peace in the region, nations must hold all perpetrators accountable for their actions and work to protect the innocent victims of violence and conflict.
The position of the Vatican is not yet clear, but its silence in the face of violence could have serious consequences. Unless the church takes a strong and unambiguous stance against the attack, it may be seen as tacit approval of a cycle of violence that could eventually engulf the entire region.