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CNN Live Today
Interview with Reverend Riah Abu El-Assal
Aired April 10, 2002 - 14:35 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Joining us now, the right Reverend Riah Abu El-Assal. He is the Anglican bishop in the diocese of Jerusalem. Sir, thank you so much for being with us.
RT. REV. RIAH ABU EL-ASSAL, BISHOP OF JERUSALEM: Thank you.
PHILLIPS: Bishop, generally let's talk for a moment. From a religious perspective, what pains you the most right now about what is taking place in the Middle East?
EL-ASSAL: The fact that more lives are claimed by both parties. That there doesn't seem to be an end to this round of hostilities. And that the Palestinian people are losing hope in the future that will guarantee them an independent Palestinian state on Palestinian soil, side by side with Israel.
The offensive, the recent one, the occupation, in my opinion and the opinion of many, is the root cause of all despair and suffering, which the international community has called upon to put an end, to this pain and to this suffering.
PHILLIPS: And, sir, it's so ironic, because here is a place, a holy land, where you can open up the Bible and read, and look at what you're reading. And there are so many twists, with all of the violence here. Where do you find peace? Where do you find God? Where do you find Allah, in the middle of all of this?
EL-ASSAL: God is definitely on the side of the oppressed. He's been on the side of the oppressed. What causes me to feel a greater pain, the way some people in the world continue to stand afar and watch the crucifixion (UNINTELLIGIBLE), as I've said in my sermon on Easter day.
The drama continues. The actors change. And it's unfortunate that we see a number of people following the example of Pilate, washing their hands, not identifying. Or, as I see it, standing afar and doing nothing. When the key to peace is with people who have the power to enforce the United Nations resolutions on both parties.
And when the United Nations, the Security Council resolved that Israel withdraw from the occupied cities, it's time also for the international community to see to it that Israel complies with those resolutions and withdraw from the occupied territories, because occupation is the root cause of all of this suffering in the Middle East.
PHILLIPS: You mention occupation as the root cause. Obviously we've been talking for weeks, for months, for years, about occupation, about military, about politics. Is religion a factor here at all? A major player?
EL-ASSAL: Certainly there is a religious dimension of the conflict in the Middle East. The whole question is over a piece of land which is claimed by people, some who claim it was given them by divine right. Others continue to claim that they share in the promises that god promised to Abraham, who is the father of all of the faithful, be they Muslims, be they Jews, or be they Christians. So there is a religious dimension.
But religion should never be used to harm the cause of life and the cause of peace and the cause of justice. Much harm has been done in the name of religion and in the name of god, when people continue to claim that land is more sacred than human life.
PHILLIPS: You talk about an end to the occupation as the answer here. But, can that -- what about the peace settlement? Do you feel that could happen afterwards?
EL-ASSAL: Definitely. Once people come to terms with the reality that the Palestinians are entitled to an independent Palestinian state on Palestinian soil, side by side with Israel, in accordance with the United Nation resolution, the way will be wide open for a peaceful settlement, not only between Israelis and the Palestinians, but between Israel and the rest of the neighboring countries.
For Israel to continue to seek security, I continue to tell them, in all honesty, that the best of secure borders are reconciled neighbors. And the closest of neighbors are the Palestinians, who have been predestined to coexist side by side with the Jews in that land, which I decry is the land of the holy one. It will become the holy land when peace prevails, harmony prevails, and justice becomes the basis for this peaceful settlement in the Middle East.
PHILLIPS: Bishop, my final question. I'm reading that Palestine has been your home since birth. Your mother tongue is Arabic, your faith is Christianity, but you're also an Israeli citizen. How do you reconcile your own religious beliefs and your citizenship and your passion for peace in this situation?
EL-ASSAL: Well, sometimes I feel I'm the crisis myself, being what I am. An Arab, Palestinian, Christian, Anglican or Episcopalian, Israeli. But at the same time, I feel people like myself could be the bridge for reconciliation. We believe, if we are given the opportunity to contribute to putting an end to this conflict, I believe us who are of the Arab-Palestinian-Christian-Israeli community can bridge the gap and can help mediate, if our services are recognized, if our services are welcome.
PHILLIPS: Bishop El-Assal, thank you so much.
EL-ASSAL: Thank you.
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