Only "a just and lasting peace" with the Palestinians will offer security to Israel, the Catholic Primate Archbishop Seán Brady has said.
"That just peace will only be found if and when the needs of the weak are given priority over the wishes of the powerful and both sides begin to hear each other's voices and to recognise each other's rights," he said.
Speaking on Saturday at a Mass in Maynooth to welcome Archbishop Fouad Twal, who was on his first official visit to Ireland since becoming Coadjutor Patriarch of Jerusalem, Dr Brady renewed his call for both Jewish and Palestinian leaders to continue to work towards bringing all the interested parties to the negotiating table.
He also commented: "It is very sad to see so many Christians leave the Holy Land. What a shame to hear Bethlehem, so dear to Christians, now described as a vanishing Christian community, an isolated town, with boarded-up shops and surrounded on three sides by an eight-metre high concrete wall. I believe the Christian presence in the Holy Land is a moderating influence and is essential to achieving peace."
Dr Twal appealed for negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians and an end to threats and violence from both sides. He also thanked Irish aid agencies for their support.