March 07, 2006
Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Roman Catholic Church's custodian of the holy sites in Israel, has met with Haim and Violet Habibi and their adult daughter Odelia. The three were arrested Friday for detonating fireworks in Nazareth's Basilica of the Annunciation during a prayer service. Ensuing riots left 13 police officers and 13 civilians lightly wounded. Four cars were also set on fire, including two police vehicles. Pizzaballa said "it is the intention of the Church to forgive. This hurt us, but we are not holding a grudge. As religious Christians, we must deliver a message of peace. There is no peace without justice and there is no peace without forgiveness. Nothing can justify what they did. They are unfortunate individuals. It is necessary to give also an important message of justice to the Christians and all the society in the country." According to "Ha'aretz", a lawyer for the Habibi family has said that her clients had embraced and kissed Pizzaballa and requested his forgiveness.
