Pope condemns the Israeli acts

Pope John Paul II yesterday renewed his condemnation to the attacks which targeted the Italian base in the Iraqi city of al-Nasereyah and the two Jewish Synagogue in Istanbul.

He also condemned the separation wall built by Israel and described it as an "obstacle in the face of peace."

On the fall of the Israel prime minister Ariel Sharon's visit to Rome, the Pope said on Sunday's prayers "I renew my condemnation to all acts of terrorism recent committed in the holy lands." He added "at the same rime, I have to refer regrettably to that the dynamism of peace seemed to have stopped."

The Pope said "Many consider that building a wall between the Israeli and Palestinian people is but a new obstacle on the road conducive to peaceful reconciliation. In fact, the holy lands are not in need of walls, rather than bridges.. peace can not be established without reconciliation."