US Bishops Back Two State Solution After West Bank Visit
Catholic bishops from the United States joined an international delegation to the West Bank in recent weeks, raising concerns over humanitarian conditions and renewing calls for a negotiated two state solution. Representatives of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops took part in the visit alongside bishops from Europe and Canada, following months of heightened instability after the Gaza conflict ended in late 2025. In a joint communiqué released after the visit, the delegation described widespread trauma among local communities and warned that the situation on the ground remains deeply fragile. The bishops said their presence was intended as a pastoral pilgrimage and a gesture of solidarity with civilians affected by violence, displacement, and uncertainty across the occupied territories.
During meetings with residents in several parts of the West Bank, the delegation reported accounts of intimidation, property destruction, and restricted access to livelihoods, particularly among Bedouin communities living in vulnerable areas. In Taybeh, identified as the only remaining Christian town in Palestine, local leaders described repeated attacks and mounting pressure on families seeking to remain in their ancestral homes. The bishops also referenced the ongoing humanitarian emergency in Gaza, characterizing conditions there as catastrophic despite the ceasefire. As part of the visit, the group met with clergy serving in the region, including pastoral leaders supporting Christian communities facing isolation and hardship amid continuing insecurity and economic collapse.
The US delegation included Bishop Abdallah Elias Zaidan, who chairs the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace, and Bishop Joseph Kopacz of Jackson, Mississippi. In the communiqué, the bishops reaffirmed recognition of Israel’s right to exist and its people’s right to live in peace and security, while stressing that these same rights must be upheld for Palestinians rooted in the land. They praised individuals on both sides who continue to advocate for dialogue and reconciliation despite personal loss and trauma. According to the statement, sustainable peace requires equal dignity, protection under international law, and political solutions that move beyond cycles of retaliation and fear.
The bishops urged governments to reengage diplomatically and support renewed negotiations aimed at a two state solution, describing it as the most viable framework for long term stability. They called on international actors to uphold a rules based order and to apply pressure where necessary to protect civilians and prevent further escalation. Emphasizing the moral dimension of peacebuilding, the delegation said the Church remains committed to accompanying all those who suffer as a result of conflict. The visit concluded with an appeal for an end to violence, the protection of holy sites and communities, and sustained efforts toward justice and reconciliation for both Israelis and Palestinians.
