Peace has its foundation in justice for all

Here in Tabgha, the world seems to be all right. There is no sign of war. But we know: the silence of this place is deceptive. Only a few kilometres separate us from overwhelming and unspeakable suffering.

Not a day has gone by since the morning of 7 October 2023, without us being confronted with devastating news and images: images of violence and destruction. I see the images of the horrific attack by Hamas, which went beyond any normal human measure. Children and women, old people and young adults who still had a whole life ahead of them – they were murdered in a brutal manner. I think of the hostages who are still in the hands of Hamas and of their relatives who fear for them. We can only condemn this bloody deed – without ifs and buts.

The Israeli state has declared war on Hamas. And it has international law on its side. But I also have the images of the suffering population in the Gaza Strip before my eyes. Many, all too many are dead. The humanitarian situation is outrageous. Men, women and children are surrounded by ruins. They are living in constant fear. And most of them lack the bare necessities to survive.

And I would like to say this: I stand in solidarity with the people in Israel. And I stand in solidarity with the people in Palestine. I also empathise with the victims of the war in Gaza. Everything must be done to ease the suffering of the people living there and to prevent and end the killing of innocent civilians.

I have mentioned how touched I am by the images of suffering. That’s why I no longer wanted to just follow the events from afar. That's why I travelled to the Holy Land. As a learner, I wanted and still want to meet you, the people on the ground, in person – even though I realise that I have little more to offer than my compassion and solidarity. This compassion applies to everyone: Israelis and Palestinians – Jews, Druze, Muslims and Christians.

My trip was characterised by moving encounters and events. I would especially like to thank Cardinal Pizzaballa, without whose spontaneous willingness to help, the visit would not have been possible. Thank you for your kind hospitality and the time you generously gave me.

Thank you for the deep discussions we had. Our reflections on the role and responsibility of the religious communities are particularly valuable to me. Without them, lasting peace cannot be achieved in the Holy Land. That is why dialogue between the religious communities is so important. Pope Francis never tires of reminding us of this. So, I am glad that during my days in the Holy Land I met representatives of Judaism and Islam as well as Christians. We men and women of faith do not represent religious parties. We must not be advocates of particular interests. We are God's messengers for peace.

I do not want to conceal the following: as a bishop from a country whose name still evokes horror among survivors of the Shoah, Thursday’s (9 November) visit to Yad Vashem has stayed with me. It was the anniversary of the so-called Reichspogromnacht (Night of Pogroms). Exactly 85 years ago, Jewish shops and synagogues in Germany were looted and set on fire, and many people were killed. In the days immediately afterwards, deportations to concentration camps began. And at the end of it all there was the genocide of the European Jews. By laying a wreath at Yad Vashem, I wanted to set an example and oppose all forms of anti-Semitism.

However, I also firmly oppose any generalised hatred of Muslims and the contempt and threats to which Christians are exposed. We must not allow people to be disparaged and marginalised because of their religion or ethnicity. Otherwise, we all – and especially you here in the Holy Land – will never find peace.

Today, the local church in Jerusalem celebrates the feast of the miraculous Multiplication of the Loaves. As we have just heard, it goes back to a story in the Bible that took place here in Tabgha. There were only two fish and five loaves of bread. And yet, on Jesus' instructions, the disciples were able to satisfy the hunger of a crowd of 5,000 people. We don't have much to offer either. Only our hope for a just peace, our willingness to achieve just peace and our deeds of just peace. These are our two fish and five loaves of bread. But perhaps – God willing – we can use them to transform fundamentally this world of discord that you are all suffering from today. Perhaps we will experience the day of peace, which has its foundation in justice for all.

Dr Heiner Wilmer SCJ is Bishop of Hildesheim and heads the German commission for Justitia et Pax.