BETHLEHEM, December 21, 2006, (WAFA)- HB Msgr. Michel Sabbah, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the President of Caritas Jerusalem issued "Christmas Message 2006" the end of the Israeli occupation.

He asserted that the occupation and deprivation of freedom on one side, and fear and insecurity on the other, continue as before.

Patriarch Sabbah reminded that Gaza remains a big prison, a place of death and of internal Palestinian dissension.

"Even children have been killed. And everyone, including the international community, remains powerless to find the right road to peace and justice," Patriarch Sabbah asserted.

Patriach Sabbah reiterated that life in Bethlehem and its surrounding area has become today very difficult to endure, in spite of the numerous initiatives of solidarity that have come from the outside.

"Bethlehem is meant to be the city of peace. Unfortunately, it is now just the contrary, a city of conflict and death," he said in his message.

"But our fundamental need is for peace, justice, freedom, and an end to the occupation. Faced with this, the world seems powerless," he said.

"This year again, Christmas is coming to Bethlehem amid the same circumstances of death and frustration, with the (Apartheid) Wall and the checkpoints on the ground and in the hearts," Patriach Sabbah said. "Brothers and Sisters here in Palestine, Israel, Jordan, and Cyprus, I wish each and every one of you joy, serenity, tranquillity and peace."

He said that every person, even soldiers and political leaders, have the capacity to appreciate love, salvation, and life.

"But for that to happen, a conversion must take place, a conversion from death to life, from viewing the other as an enemy and a murderer to viewing him as a brother and a giver of life," he said.

Patriach Sabbah asserted that our political leaders also must listen to the voice of the oppressed in this Holy Land, to the voice of those who have died, of those who are still threatened by death and humiliation, those on whom they think they can impose death or humiliation in order to assure the security of the other party.

S.A.S. (19:12 P) (17:12 GMT)