WASHINGTON (December 5, 2001) -- Peace between Israelis and Palestinians is still possible despite last weekend's deadly terrorist attacks in Israel, according the chairman of the Bishops' International Policy Committee, who called the attacks "moral obscenities."

In separate letters to the Israeli ambassador and to the chief Palestinian representative in the United States, Cardinal Bernard Law of Boston called on both parties to the conflict to stand up to "those who are determined to thwart the peace process."

"As dim as prospects for peace now seem, we remain convinced that peace between Israelis and Palestinians is possible," he said.

Calling the suicide bombings "moral obscenities which deserve universal condemnation," Cardinal Law reiterated his previous remarks that the failure of the Palestinian Authority to control Palestinian violence is "intolerable."

At the same time, he said he feared that the Israeli response to the attacks "will only strengthen the opponents of peace."

"The Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel must find a way out of the current violence and resume serious peace negotiations based on respect for the legitimate rights and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians," he said.

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