Cardinal Pizzaballa: We stand by those working for good in this dark night

By Andrea Tornielli

“The moment is very painful, we are experiencing a very long night. But we also know that the nights are ending. This is the moment when the Church must work with all those who are ready to do something beautiful and good for everyone… “. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, visiting Rome, spoke to Vatican media about the situation in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.

What is the situation these days in Israel and especially in Gaza?

The situation has not changed much compared to the recent past of recent months, with ups and downs. Gaza is now divided between the north and the south, Rafah and Gaza City. There was a time when more humanitarian aid arrived, particularly in the north. Today it became a little complicated again. Meat, for example, is lacking. Water is problematic and let's say that, generally speaking, the situation remains very degraded and it is very difficult to see a way out. It does not seem to me that the negotiations are leading to anything and that there is a real desire on the part of the parties to reach a conclusion. And this is what is perceived, also keeping in mind the Lebanese front which is heating up more and more. The outlook is not very encouraging.

How many victims are there? Some people question the figures put forward, but the images that arrive show destruction…

Destruction. The city of Gaza is destroyed, the victims are therefore numerous. It is difficult to give figures, but there are many and it shows. It is a fact that civilian victims are always numerous.

How to rebuild the social fabric and coexistence, taking into account what happened, but at the same time overcoming what happened?

I think it's too early to talk about it, there is currently a war and trauma. It will take time to understand the extent of the trauma that affected everyone and its consequences. Reconstruction will be necessary. There is the desire to rebuild, I see it very clearly. But in what way, with what criteria and with whom? It's still too early to tell.

And the situation in the West Bank?

The West Bank is still on the verge of explosion, the problems are continuous, almost daily, especially in certain areas towards the north, in the region of Jenin and Nablus. Clashes between settlers and residents of Arab villages are continuous, creating a situation of attrition that will lead to nothing good.

You mentioned earlier the opening of the northern front. We have witnessed a very lively debate in Israel about the prospects for the future. What can we expect?

The internal debate exists in Israel but also in Lebanon: no one wants war but it seems that no one can stop it, and that is the whole problem. Of course, if the northern front were to open, it would certainly be a tragedy, especially for Lebanon, which risks becoming another Gaza, at least in its southern part. I am not an expert in military matters, but the landscape remains very tense, always on the verge of further escalation.

What is the life of Christians in such a context?

Christians are not a separate people, they live like everyone else. We unfortunately know the situation in Gaza, but it is also very problematic in the West Bank, particularly from an economic point of view. There is a situation of paralysis, work is rare or non-existent, which makes the prospects of emigration more and more attractive, unfortunately especially for Christians.

Let's think about the post-war period. What could the international community do? Who could help bring peace the most?

Making peace, at this moment, seems to me to be too distant a goal. Right now, politics and the international community must work above all to end the conflict. It will certainly take a long time to establish peace and achieve more serious political prospects. The international community must find a way to get Israel and Hamas to end the conflict and reach a ceasefire that represents a first step toward something more coherent, solid and stable.

The result of the next American elections will also weigh on this scenario…

Certainly, the American elections will have an influence. But I believe that solutions must be found locally, between the two parties, between Israel and Hamas.

Can aid reach Gaza?

Work is underway in this direction, the Latin Patriarchate is also committed to sending aid. Tomorrow, the first stock of several tons of food and basic necessities should arrive. There is a lot of work to do, there are more than two million people.

How does the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem view what is happening? What is the perspective of the man of faith in the face of all this?

Hope is the daughter of faith. The moment is very painful, we are experiencing a very long night. But we also know that nights come to an end. This is the moment when the Church must be present in the territory, close and working with all those who are ready to do something beautiful and good for all. When everyone erects barriers against each other, the Church must always keep its hand outstretched to the other. This is our task born from our experience of faith, this is what we are called to do at this moment.

Do you feel accompanied by the universal Church?

Yes, the Holy Father has always been very close to us and continues to be so. As are many dioceses around the world.