Nine representatives of episcopal conferences in Europe and North America finished their 11th annual visit in support of the church in the Holy Land with a Jan. 15 statement demanding that both sides "Stop the violence! Stop the killing! Start to build peace!"

But Weisgerber is not hopeful about the immediate prospects for peace.

"I found a huge difference this year over last year," he said. "In the sense that (last year) there was some optimism over the two-state solution."

Even if some were cynical or skeptical about the prospects for peace and the politicians involved, at least there was the beginnings of a peace process in place a year ago, said Weisgerber.

"At least it was on the table. I think it is right off the table now."

The only hope left is intervention by the international community, he said.

"There's got to be compromise," said Winnipeg's archbishop. "There's no question that Israel's security is important and vital, but that's not the only issue. It can't be that at all costs."

Israel's attempts to assert its right to defend Israeli citizens has become counterproductive, said Weisgerber.

"Part of the rationale behind the bombing of Gaza was to create a precedent and to shock people — and it probably did. It also created a huge amount of anger not only in the Arab territories but from what I understand in the whole world," he said.

Peace is the only hope for the continued existence of a viable Christian community in the land where Jesus was born and preached the Kingdom of God, according to Weisgerber.

"We are very, very anxious that Christians remain in the Holy Land," he said. "That the church there not be just monuments, but that they be living stones. But the living stones are under tremendous stress."

"Do not be afraid. Come as pilgrims to the Holy Land and meet with the living Christian communities here," said the delegation of bishops in a parting statement.

Whether it's Jewish settlements on Palestinian land outside of Israel's internationally recognized borders, or Israel's exclusive use of scarce water resources in the region, or the tight control Israel exercises over Palestinian movement and prospects for work, many Palestinian Christians feel Israel is deliberately making life hard for them, said Weisgerber.

"There is a perception that Israel is trying to make life so miserable for them that they will leave," he said.

Weisgerber sees no need for Christians in North America to take sides either for or against Israel.

"We really need to pray and to do all that we can to get reasonable people on both sides to talk to each other. When the extremes create the reality there is no way forward."