8/4/2002 Appeal to the Israeli government His Excellency Ambassador David Sasson Embassy of Israel Athens URGENT Dear Mr. Ambassador, Further to our conversation of a few minutes ago, kindly note that it is with great distress that we have been following the events taking place in the Holy Land during the last few days. The cycle of violence and loss of innocent life on both sides, not to mention the destruction of homes and property, are deeply troubling. We are particularly troubled by confused reports from Bethlehem that seem to suggest that Israeli forces are threatening to violate the sacred space of the Church of the Nativity, one of the most holy places for all Christians, in order to arrest persons seeking refuge there. If these reports are true, this would be a very grave development that would have a profound impact on the entire Christian world. The Orthodox Christian Church has taken very seriously the role of providing sanctuary to those who have sought it. You no doubt know that our Church, throughout its history, has sheltered and otherwise protected from abuse, even death, thousands of persons of all religions. We beseech your government, even at this time, to act with restraint in order to conserve the moral capital that has accrued as a result of the suffering of your people in the recent past. We pray that wisdom prevail over the impulse for revenge, in order that the cycle of ever-increasing violence be broken. + Christodoulos, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece cc: Mgr. Paul Tabet, Apostolic Nuncio, Athens Archbishop George Carey, Primate of the Church of England Dr. Konrad Raiser, Secretary General, World Council of Churches Keith Clements, Secretary General, KEK Mgr. Noλl Treanor, Secretary General, COMECE