[In the Holy Land] the State of Israel has to be able to exist
peacefully in conformity with the norms of international law;
there, equally, the Palestinian people has to be able to develop
serenely its own democratic institutions for a free and
prosperous future. The Middle East is a land holy to Jews,
Christians and Muslims, but tragically it is also a land that
yearns for a just peace. USCCB has a long history of working to
address the conflict that has taken too many lives and crippled
too many others. Violence, occupation and hatred have resulted
in thousands killed and injured, most of them civilians, and in
a denial of security and dignity to many more. Palestinian
leaders must recognize Israel and clearly renounce terrorism,
take effective steps to stop it, and bring to justice those
responsible. It is reprehensible to call suicide bombers
martyrs. Israels often aggressive military response, its
expansion of settlements, and its construction of a wall deep in
Palestinian areas increase the misery and