Here’s the statement from the USCCB committee on international policy, chaired by Bishop Wenski of Orlando.

* The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops condemns the terror and provocative acts of Hamas and Hezbollah that precipitated the crises, including cross-border attacks, abductions and the continuing indefensible rocket and missile attacks on Israeli citizens, both Jews and Arabs. These radical armed groups (and their supporters in Syria and Iran) both bear the responsibility for initiating the current cycle of violence.

* Israel clearly has a right to defend itself, but as Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican Secretary of State, said, Israel’s right to self-defense “does not exempt it from respecting the norms of international law, especially as regards the protection of civilian populations.” Israel’s response has been in some instances militarily disproportionate and indiscriminate. In light of traditional Catholic teaching, massive counterattacks on civilian areas and infrastructure, blockades and other acts of war should not be supported. Punishment of entire peoples for the indefensible acts of militant armed factions contradicts traditional just war norms. A humanitarian crisis is growing in Gaza and Lebanon.

* Only genuine dialogue and negotiations can bring a lasting and just peace to the region. As Bishop Wenski stated in his appeal to political leaders, it is “clear that violence, from whatever side, for whatever purpose, cannot bring a lasting or just peace in the Land we call Holy.” The recurrent cycle of terrorist attacks, deliberate provocations and disproportionate military responses undermines the brave and wise people on all sides who seek a just, two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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* Regarding Lebanon, the rocket attacks and the bombings of innocent civilians are morally indefensible. Unjustifiable and indiscriminate attacks, and excessive military responses, endanger innocent lives and undermine Lebanon’s struggle to free itself from outside domination and from serving once again as a bloody pawn in the broader Middle East conflict.

* The United States must exercise greater leadership to end the current cycle of violence, condemn all attacks on civilians, secure an effective and immediate ceasefire, open humanitarian corridors, oppose disproportionate and indiscriminate actions, and move toward negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians to advance a two-state solution, and ensure the independence of Lebanon.