Rabbi Skorka: Pope didnt take sides in Mid East conflict

By JEREMY SHARON
LAST UPDATED: 05/28/2014 03:56
The longtime friend and confidant of Pope Francis insists that the pontiffs
much-debated stop at security barrier should not be seen in a political light

Pope Francis shakes hands with Chief Rabbi David Lau (L) during a meeting in
Jerusalem May 26, 2014 Photo: REUTERS
Rabbi Avraham Skorka, a longtime friend and confidant of Pope Francis, insisted on
Tuesday that the pontiffs much-debated stop at the West Bank security barrier on
Sunday should not be seen in a political light or as the pope taking sides in the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Speaking to The Jerusalem Post, Skorka described Francis as an intensely spiritual
figure who places great value on the power of prayer, and that his visit to the walled
section of the barrier and his prayer there was an expression of this approach.
Related:
Israel says PA put huge pressure on pope to visit security barrier
The rabbi, who is the rector of the Latin American Rabbinical Seminary of the
Conservative Movement and heads the Bnei Tikva Masorati synagogue in Buenos Aires,
has known Jorge Mario Bergoglio, as Francis used to be known, for more than 20
years and the two men have written a book together and reciprocated in writing
introductions to their individual works.
You cant interpret his visit to the security barrier as him taking a stance on the
Israel- Palestinian conflict, said Skorka, who added that he believed the visit was
spontaneous, although Israeli officials have said that the Palestinian Authority put
pressure on the pope to make the stop.
In standing and praying at the wall, he was praying for a time when it will be possible
to pull down this wall, said Skorka.
The rabbi argued that officials in the Vatican are not naive and know why the barrier
was built.
Equally, when he stood at the memorial to victims of terror at Mount Herzl and he
prayed that here should be no more terrorism or victims of terror, he was not taking
sides in the conflict, Skorka continued.
He will always criticize any situation in which there is a lack of justice and he will
always draw attention to the pain of others.
He identifies with the unfortunate situation of Palestinians, and it comes from his
heart. This is true. On the other hand, he didnt judge the situation politically. He was
not judging or criticizing the parties in the conflict itself.
He was crying out to both sides. Pope Francis knows exactly the importance of the
State of Israel and its role in the continuity of the Jewish people and its renewal,
the rabbi said.
Skorka said that during the 20 years he has known Francis, when parting from people
he has always asked them to pray for him, and pointed to the invitation to President
Shimon Peres and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to pray together
with him in the Vatican as further indicators of the importance of prayer to the
pontiff.
There was an undoubted political dimension to his visits to the security barrier and
to the memorial, but the essence was an opportunity for prayer to God to bless man
and erase violence and hatred from the midst of human reality, he said.
Skorka cited the popes message to children when he visited the Palestinian refugee
camp of Dehaishe south of Bethlehem.
Francis was addressed by a young Palestinian boy who spoke of the oppressive
occupation, and a desire to live in peace and dignity in our land and our country.
The pontiff said he understood the boys message, but replied, Dont ever allow the
past to determine your life, always look forward. But do and act and strive for the
things you want.
Remember that violence cannot be defeated by violence; violence can only be
defeated with peace, with peace, effort and dignity to move the nation forward, he
added.
Speaking about the visit in general, the rabbi said the embrace between the pope,
himself and Buenos Aires Muslim leader Omar Aboud, who is also a friend of the
pontiff, was a particularly spiritual and emotional event in the trip.
This was a highlight for me, as a Jew, and a person who has been involved in
interfaith dialogue and who loves and chases peace.
Skorka said that the meeting between Francis and Peres at the Presidents Residence
was another encounter that gave the pontiff particular pleasure.
He had a very good meeting with Peres, they had a very special chemistry between
them, and they both inspired a special affection in one another. It was very clear to
see the affection and love between them, and the mutual understanding was very
apparent, he said.
And the rabbi added that the popes invitation to Peres and Abbas to pray in the
Vatican was one of the most important results of the trip, and could plant roots of
inspiration for the future.
The aim of the visit was to give a strong message of peace in the region, to try and
move just a little bit the picture of frustration negative attitudes that are usually
dominant here.
What he tried to do was bring some fresh perspective in order to empower the hope
of people in this region. He didnt present a political solution and this is not his task.
But he wanted to come here to be heard by Palestinians and Israelis, and Christians
on both sides, and to give them a message of hope and peace and love, and this is
what he did, Skorka said.