” “Peace in the Holy Land may be achieved only "through the joint commitment of Jews, Christians and Muslims, through a sincere inter-religious dialogue and concrete gestures of reconciliation": it was said today by Benedict XVI, as he received in the Vatican a Jewish delegation of B’nai B’rith international, an organisation founded in 1843 in New York, based in Brussels and bringing together 5000 members divided into 150 associations scattered all over 29 European countries. One of the goals of the organisation is to fight racism and anti-Semitism and strengthen relations between Jews in Europe and Israel and the European institutions. In the past, delegates of the B’nai B’rith International had already visited the Holy See, as the Pope mentioned. "Jews and Christians he highlighted are called to work together to heal the world. If we set a clear example of a fruitful cooperation, our voice in responding to the needs of the human family will be more convincing". A challenge for all believers, added Benedict XVI, is "to prove that it is not hatred and violence but understanding and peaceful cooperation that open the doors to that future of justice and peace that is God’s promise and gift". The Pope took leave of the Jews by greeting them with "Shalom alechem!".” “
