H B CARDINALE PIERBATTISTA PIZZABALLA Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins It is extremely difficult to express and assess in a few sentences the social, political and religious situation we have been experiencing for the past year. The fact is that we are living through one of the most problematic periods in modern history. This conflict is military in nature, and we are witnessing the consequences of what happened on 7 October and what is also happening in Gaza and the West Bank. However, from the Church's perspective, the concerns are not only about the military aspect, but also about the devastating impact on the population. First of all, the emotional impact; the hatred, resentment, revenge, and contempt. We had never witnessed a situation as deep and intense as this year! And of course also the consequences on people's lives. I am thinking of our people, of my community, of Christians and others, who for a year have been without work and without a clear perspective for the future. Of course, the most difficult situation is in Gaza. Gaza is completely destroyed, and what remains functional is very, very limited, only a small percentage. Eighty per cent of the houses are destroyed, all the infrastructure has been ruined, including electricity, water and the sewage system. People are suffering mainly because of the lack of medical care, food and any form of support. This situation is terrible, we must face it: it is an inhuman condition, and there is no other word to describe it. Now, we have to look forward. This crisis, this war, I do not know when it will end, but it will not last forever. We must be prepared for what comes next. Reconstruction will require a lot of energy and a high degree of coordination, not only for the physical reconstruction, but also for the human and social regeneration of the community, which is the most important thing we must focus on for the future. We must not confuse hope with a solution to the conflict. I am not sure that a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is near. But hope does not come from the outside; it is an attitude of life. Hope represents the way I decide to be in life and in society. Some might give up hope, while others are not ready to do so! Therefore, there are many people who are not prepared to give up hope, who are ready to help others, to volunteer and to strive to make a difference. This is our hope. Where there are people willing to sacrifice a part of their life, or even their whole life, for others, there is hope. In the end, we have great confidence because there are many people ready to commit themselves. Read More