ASIA/ISRAEL - Political elections: the local Catholic Church urges voters not to desert the elections

Jerusalem (Agenzia Fides) – In view of now imminent political elections in Israel, scheduled for March 17, the Catholic Church in the Holy Land urges all eligible voters to cast their vote, addressing in particular “those who might tend to abstain and thus remain silent to exercise their vote.” This anti-abstention call comes from the Commission Justice and Peace of the Assembly of the Catholic Ordinaries in the Holy Land. “Your vote, your single vote - we read in the statement issued by the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem - might make a difference for our present and future in this country and for the life of many. Take up your responsibility and vote according to your conscience, but vote and thus speak out.”
The Justice and Peace press release, received also at Fides News Agency, has something to say to the candidates in the electoral competition. “We hope that those who will be elected – the statement reads - will hear the voices of all who suffer in this permanent conflict: your duty is to help the country emerge from the enduring situation of conflict. We are not condemned to live forever in fear of the other, in continuous suffering. Help make this holy land a better place”. (GV) (Agenzia Fides 19/2/2015).