He Papa Francisco indicated on Wednesday that a two-state solution is necessary for Israel and Palestine to end wars like the current one, and asked for special status for Jerusalem.

In an interview with a news channel TG1 from Italian state television RAIFrancisco also stated that he hopes that regional escalation could have been avoided in a conflict that began when Hamas militants stormed Israel, killing about 1,400 Israelis, mostly civilians, and taking about 230 hostages.

He was also concerned about the rise in anti-Semitism, adding that much of it “remains hidden”.

“(These are) two peoples who have to live together. Thanks to this wise decision, two states. Oslo Accords, two clearly defined states and Jerusalem with special status“Francisco noted in an interview with an Italian radio station RAI.

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In 1993, Israeli Prime Minister Isaac Rabin and Palestine Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat shook hands to sign the Oslo Accords, which established limited Palestinian autonomy.

US President Bill Clinton, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Arafat attended the Camp David summit in 2000, but they failed to reach a final peace agreement.

Israel captured Arab East Jerusalem in 1967 and in 1980 declared the entire city its “united and eternal capital.” Palestinians consider the eastern part of the city to be the capital of a future state..

Except, Israel has consistently rejected There have been suggestions that the city, sacred to Christians, Muslims and Jews, may have special or international status. (RTS)