Pope Benedict XVI visited Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem today. The Pope chooses his words carefully. He gave an address that began, amazingly, by hinting at the right of return, and then spoke movingly of the lack of freedom in the West Bank and replaced the stock, "cycle of violence" with a better expression:
My visit to the Aida Refugee Camp this afternoon gives me a welcome opportunity to express my solidarity with all the homeless Palestinians who long to be able to return to their birthplace, or to live permanently in a homeland of their own….
I know that many of your families are divided — through imprisonment of family members, or restrictions on freedom of movement — and many of you have experienced bereavement in the course of the hostilities. My heart goes out to all who suffer in this way. Please be assured that all Palestinian refugees across the world, especially those who lost homes and loved ones during the recent conflict in Gaza, are constantly remembered in my prayers.
Towering over us, as we gather here this afternoon, is a stark reminder of the stalemate that relations between Israelis and Palestinians seem to have reached — the wall. In a world where more and more borders are being opened up — to trade, to travel, to movement of peoples, to cultural exchanges — it is tragic to see walls still being erected. How we long to see the fruits of the much more difficult task of building peace! How earnestly we pray for an end to the hostilities that have caused this wall to be built!…
diplomatic efforts can only succeed if Palestinians and Israelis themselves are willing to break free from the cycle of aggression.
