Cardinal Pizzaballa calls West Bank a “land without law”

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has described the West Bank as a “land without law,” noting that tensions between settlers and the Palestinian population are continuously increasing without legal or security restraints. He stated that the ongoing aggression by settlers is an established fact.

Speaking at the Meeting for Friendship in Rimini, Pizzaballa called on the West to increase diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation. He emphasized that despite its fragility, diplomacy remains the only way to resolve the conflict and avoid the use of military force and violence. He reaffirmed the two-state solution as the only way to ensure both Israelis and Palestinians have a home in their land.

Regarding Gaza, the Patriarch noted the situation has deteriorated significantly and remains humanly devastated, though he observed it has reached a certain level of political stability for discussion. He also expressed his conviction that the Pope will eventually visit the Holy Land, noting that work must be done to prepare the necessary conditions for a meaningful visit.