Pope Leo has called for an immediate end to repeated violence against Palestinian civilians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, amid growing tensions and attacks by Israeli settlers.
The Pope made the appeal on Sunday following noon prayers at his residence in Castel Gandolfo, outside Rome. He urged the international community to take concrete steps towards advancing a two-state solution and achieving a fair and lasting peace.
“I renew my appeal for an end to the repeated violence against the Palestinian civilian population in the West Bank,” Pope Leo said.
His comments came as tensions intensified in the Palestinian village of Qusra, where Palestinian residents have reported attacks and a siege involving militant settlers. Rights groups have accused settlers of attempting to take more Palestinian land by restricting access to essential services, including water and electricity.
The Vatican has long supported the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, encompassing the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, Israel’s right-wing government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has overseen extensive settlement construction in the West Bank. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has said the expansion is intended to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The United Nations and most governments consider Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law. Israel disputes this position, arguing that the territory remains contested rather than occupied.
The Pope’s latest appeal comes amid renewed international efforts to address the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict and seek a lasting political solution.
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