Bishop of Tripoli Urges International Community to Intervene to End Holy Land Conflict

Königstein, Germany – A month following the devastating terrorist attacks by Hamas that triggered a conflict in Gaza, Archbishop Monsignor Youssef Soueif of Tripoli, Lebanon, is urgently appealing to the international community to intervene and bring an end to the ongoing conflict. During a recent visit to the international headquarters of the pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Archbishop Soueif stressed the necessity of finding a just and lasting solution for both Israel and Palestine, warning that without such a resolution, the conflict could persist for decades or even centuries, potentially leading to a broader regional war.

Archbishop Soueif expressed his sorrow and urged a swift resolution: "Let this war stop. Let it stop now, before it continues further." He emphasized the importance of implementing a two-state solution, as he believes that failing to do so may result in an ongoing conflict for decades or even centuries, marked by intermittent periods of war, as no one wishes to leave their homeland.

The Archbishop of Tripoli, situated in predominantly Sunni Lebanon, voiced deep concern about the current situation and its impact on the broader Middle East. He called for influential actors on both sides to intervene and halt the violence in Israel and Gaza, emphasizing the immense suffering caused by the conflict and the regression of progress made over the years.

The Archbishop further highlighted the psychological toll on the Lebanese people and the threat it poses to the stability of the region. He stressed that there is no appetite for war in Lebanon, given their past experiences with conflict. Instead, they hope for a diplomatic solution but acknowledge that the decisions ultimately lie with geopolitical powers.

In response to Pope Francis's calls for peace, Monsignor Soueif mentioned that all parishes and Catholic schools in his diocese are praying for peace and that he has been actively engaging in interreligious initiatives with Muslim leaders in his region to promote harmony.

Finally, regarding the Middle Eastern bishops' call for international support for Lebanon, which is grappling with an unprecedented economic and political crisis, the Maronite Archbishop emphasized the need to sustain Lebanon, restore order, and rebuild international confidence in the country. He underscored the importance of holding elections to ensure the functioning of the state, as Lebanon currently lacks a president, which is a perilous situation for the entire region.

Lebanon's large population of refugees, including 2.5 million Syrians and half a million Palestinians, poses a significant risk of destabilization, with the potential for mass migration that could affect Europe if the crisis remains unresolved. During this critical period, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is committed to supporting the Church in Lebanon by funding various projects to alleviate the situation. In 2022, ACN sponsored 217 projects in the country, including emergency aid, construction, Mass stipends for priests, and seminarian training.

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