As the war in Gaza threatens to further expand igniting the entire Middle East, with the Houthi rebels in Yemen and the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) engaging in missile-strike ex-changes, the Chaldean bishops of Iraq have joined in insisting on a two-State solution in which Israel and Palestine can both live “in peace and security.” In a statement issued at the closing of their recent annual Synod presided by Patriarch Cardinal Raphael Sako in Baghdad, the Iraqi bishops expressed deep concern for the many conflicts raging in the Middle East, “especially in the Holy Land.” While condemning “all forms of violence”, they urged the international community to always uphold peace and actively engage to put an immediate end to this devastating war.
According to the Chaldean bishops, the only viable solution to the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict is to create two neighbouring states that live “in peace, security, stability and mutual trust.” This stance is strongly advocated, amongst many others, by the Holy See, but is firmly opposed by the current Israeli government, especially after Hamas’ terrorist attacks of 7th October.