Vatican spokesman releases a statement condemning all "those who have deceived themselves into thinking that they can solve the region's increasingly terrible problems with the use of force or by unilateral action".

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Concerned by the growing violence in the Holy Land, the Holy See released today a statement urging the international community to do its utmost to help the Palestinian population face its current difficult problems. This includes providing humanitarian assistance, going back to the negotiating table, and putting aside the use of force and unilateral solutions.

"It is with great apprehension and sorrow that the Holy See is following the rising number of often blind, episodes of violence that these days are staining the Holy Land with blood," said Vatican Press Office Director Joaquín Navarro-Valls.

"The Holy Father feels close, in particular through prayer, to the innocent victims, their relatives and the populations of this land which is captive to all those who have deceived themselves into thinking that they can solve the region's increasingly terrible problems with the use of force or by unilateral action."

"The Holy See urges the international community to move quickly and take all necessary steps to provide the Palestinian population with the humanitarian assistance it needs. It also joins all those who have pressed the leaders of both peoples to show, first and foremost, respect for human life, especially that of defenceless civilians and children, as well to restart negotiations, which are the only path that can bring the just and lasting peace everyone wants."

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