Israeli ambassador to Holy See says religious influence can help bring peace

July 21, 2014

Israel's ambassador to the Holy See said that religious leaders can help to promote peace agreements, and acknowledged the power of the Vatican on world opinion, in an interview with the Vatican Insider.

"Spiritual religious leaders and inter-religious diplomacy can sometimes pave the way for a dialogue between nations," said Ambassador Zion Evrony. "Inter-religious dialogue can lower the animosity between two sides of a conflict, create more trust and build bridges to peace." He pointed to the day of prayer for peace at the Vatican, organized by Pope Francis and including Presidents Peres and Abbas, as an example of that effort.

Commenting on the current violence in Gaza, the Israeli envoy said: "Israel welcomes any help the International community can give to stop the continuing rocket attacks on Israeli civilians by Hamas and the other terror organizations in the Gaza strip."

 

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Further information:

• “The Holy See’s calls for peace can have a positive impact” (Vatican Insider)