The Church of Ireland Primate has told Israel that it must create circumstances that disarm hostility if it wants security. Archbishop Alan Harper has told his church's General Synod in Galway that he was deeply moved by Palestinians' resilience in the face of severe Israeli restrictions during a recent visit to the Middle East with Ireland's three other main church leaders.
He said that the only Israelis encountered by Palestinians are either soldiers at checkpoints, or armed settlers guarded by the Israeli Defence Forces.
He said this is a tragic consequence of the policy of separation symbolised by the barrier Israel has been erecting over the past three years.
He conceded Israel's right to security for its citizens with freedom from attacks by Islamic militants and admitted that the building of the barrier had significantly reduced the number of such attacks.
But he added that security is never guaranteed by force of arms, but only by the creation of circumstances that disarm hostility. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Disclaimer
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