Pope Leo XIV Calls for End to West Bank Violence, Urges Two‑State Solution
· World · LiveMint, Al Jazeera
Pope Leo XIV urged an immediate halt to violence against Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank, speaking from his residence in Castel Gandolfo outside Rome. He called on the international community to accelerate steps toward a two‑state solution, describing it as essential for fair and lasting peace. The appeal follows reports of intensified attacks by Israeli settlers, notably in the village of Qusra where settlers surrounded homes and cut off water and electricity supplies. Rights groups say these actions are part of a broader effort to displace Palestinians and expand Israeli control in territory claimed for a future state. The Vatican supports a two‑state solution, and over 150 of the 193 UN member states recognize Palestinian statehood covering the Gaza Strip, West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israeli settlement expansion continues under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stating the policy aims to prevent the establishment
Why it matters
The Pope’s intervention adds moral pressure to the international debate over the Israel‑Palestine conflict and could influence diplomatic efforts that affect regional stability and international law. Palestinian civilians in the West Bank face increased risks as settler violence escalates, while the continued expansion of settlements threatens prospects for a negotiated two‑state resolution.
Read the original report — LiveMint
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