The attacks are a huge burden and they often have to go to the bunker themselves, Father Basilius Schiel, prior of the Benedictine Dormition Abbey in Jerusalem, told Die Welt (Friday). "But leaving is not an option."
One sign of this is that the monastery doors remain open despite enormous financial burdens. As there were no pilgrims, the costs would be financed from the money from the pension scheme. "We have not made any of our local employees redundant," said Schiel.
"Hope for peace and quiet"
The aim is to be a "contact point for Jews and Muslims who are willing to come together again". Opportunities for encounters and dialogue could be created in monasteries and churches.
Schiel also expressed the "hope for calm". "It sounds very cynical, but all parties to the conflict are tired. The population no longer has much energy to continue this conflict."
On the Israeli side, there is also increasing resistance in civil society, which is somewhat different on the Palestinian side.
The war also plays a central role in his prayers. First and foremost, he prays for the return of those who have been abducted.
The weapons on both sides must also fall silent immediately and unconditionally. He also prays for a "conversion of the societies in the Holy Land so that the people here can move towards a more just and, above all, freer future".
This could then also lead to some form of peace.