Pope calls for Palestinian statehood
The Pope has backed Palestinian statehoold on his visit to the Middle East
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Wednesday, 13, May 2009 11:23
The Pope has given his support to the creation of a Palestinian state.
Pope Benedict XVI gave his support to the Palestinians' right to a homeland as he continued his tour of the Middle East.
The Pope who is currently in Israel, yesterday visited the Temple Mount in Jerusalem meeting the Grand Mufti, Mohammed Mohammad Hussein and visiting Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque, becoming the first pontiff to do so. He also prayed at the Western Wall.
Speaking on his arrival in Bethlehem today the Pope called for a just and lasting peace in the region urging Palestinians not to resort to violence or terrorism.
He then held a Mass in the town's Manger Square, which pilgrims believe is the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
One of the aims of the pontiff's visit is to preserve a diminishing Christian presence in the Holy Land.
The Pope was met by Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem.
Speaking at a news conference at Mr Abbas's official residence, he responded to Mr Abbas' welcome by expressing support for a Palestinian state.
"The Holy See supports the right of your people to a sovereign Palestinian homeland in the land of your forefathers, secure and at peace with its neighbours, within internationally recognised borders," he said.
But he added that Palestinians should "resist temptations to resort to acts of violence".
The current Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu has so far refused to endorse the two state peace proposal favoured by the United States and the West.
Meanwhile, earlier this week, King Abdullah II of Jordan, warned that peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians must begin as soon as possible if another war was to be avoided.
Speaking on Monday the King warned that unless the US was able to broker a peace deal between Israel and the rest of the Arab world, the West might be dragged into another war in the region. He called for Israel and the whole Muslim world to engage in peace talks.
"If we delay our peace negotiations then there is going to be another way between Arabs or Muslims and Israel in the next 12 to 18 months," he told the Times newspaper on Monday.
Yesterday David Milliband, the foreign secretary on a visit to the US to hold talks with US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, hailed president Obama's attempts to resolve the Middle East conflict as a once in a generation opportunity.
Mr Milliband said this was the first US administration since that of Jimmy Carter 30 years ago, to have "thrown itself into the peace process from day one". The US government is expected to publish its proposals for a new peace deal within days.