Caritas Internationalis calls “an immediate ceasefire and come to the negotiating table”. “Indiscriminate bombings and hostage taking are against all moral and humanitarian laws and principles” says a declaration of Caritas Internationalis relaunched today by Caritas Jerusalem. Based on the social teaching of the Church, and in line with International Humanitarian Law, the Catholic association calls “an end to all violence, and the beginning of constructive negotiations geared towards long-term solutions. International Humanitarian Law decrees that states and authorities must protect civilians caught up in conflict, allow free access by humanitarian agencies to provide assistance to those affected and ensure attacks are not aimed at civilian targets”. “Caritas believes that a just peace is possible in the Middle East, and urges the international community and political leaders to uphold international law and help the people of Israel, of Palestine and of Lebanon to step back from the brink of full-scale war”.
