One might argue that before becoming Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was a defender of true Catholicism, often speaking out in the name of very traditional family and religious values. Now presiding over the entire Catholic Church he has to think twice before making official statements. It is often overlooked that some segments of his church put forward varying opinions and do not necessarily agree among each other on every issue. I came across many associations and foundations that officially belong to the Catholic family, but try to be right in the center of society regardless of one's faith. Catholic groups run day centers, training establishments and support the poor and needy. I visited one of these centers in Orléans in central France and was quite impressed by their impartiality. There was a certain notion of “la vie associative” to be felt, which resulted in encouraging the individual to do good and to show solidarity with less privileged members of society. Then, again meeting with representatives of nongovernmental organizations in the Republic of Ireland, I detected a very strong commitment in the sense of defending the above-mentioned “true” Catholic position.
Arriving in Israel, Pope Benedict XVI was faced with a huge dilemma: how to honor the lives of 6 million Jewish people who perished at the hands of the Nazi regime while not forgetting that the Catholic Church is not entirely free of blame itself; could German religious leaders perhaps have stopped Hitler's rise to power? From today's perspective only a hypothetical question but nevertheless an issue for the Catholic Church. Pope Benedict just about avoided a diplomatic fiasco by sticking to the official script while being met with quite a few raised eyebrows from his Israeli hosts for not condemning the Holocaust in stronger terms.
The second difficult topic the pope was confronted with was how to explain his position toward the creation of a Palestinian state. He said exactly that: He and the Church would favor a two-state solution. This comment is of historic proportions, as for many decades supporting an individual Palestine from within the Catholic Church had been regarded as showing the wrong kind of understanding for how to solve the Middle East conflict. Last week the pope demonstrated that he is fully aware of the political situation in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel as such and knows how to address the issue while being watched by millions of people all around the world.
In a region where religion is a justification for conflict as well as the source and inspiration for peace, the pope's visit can go a long way in helping to establish a lasting two-state solution if that is what all actors want. Now where does this leave the Quartet and Tony Blair's ambitious plan for achieving the same result, and where can Turkey find its place amid the persisting turmoil in the region?
It is regarded as common wisdom that without peace between Palestinian and Israeli people, the Middle East conflict cannot be overcome. Speaking to the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Mr. Blair reiterated his support for a two-state solution. In other words, there seems to be harmony between the Catholic Church and the countries Mr. Blair represents. Mr. Blair furthermore stressed on May 14 of this year at the same hearing in Washington that there are not only the issues of Jewish settlements that need to be discussed, but internal divisions within the Palestinian side, too. Blair commented on the link between this conflict and Iran, and that it should be seen as part of the same debate.
This opens the door for other individual countries to pursue a policy of conflict resolution, and the Republic of Turkey is well positioned -- both geographically and ever increasingly in diplomatic terms -- for doing just that -- upon invitation that is, of course. Now that the “One Minute of Davos” is, while not forgotten, at least no longer a serious political topic, Ankara and Jerusalem should consider renewed joint political initiatives from which both countries will benefit. Turkey could become a true mediator, having friends and allies all across the political and religious spectrum. Although many political actors rightly criticize Israel for its unjust war and for obstructing a peaceful solution, it would be wrong to alienate its government further. History has shown to what alienation and isolation may lead.
