Jerusalem patriarch: settlement construction 'hampers' peace

Mideast peace efforts are being "hampered" by Israeli settlement construction, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem said Wednesday in his traditional Christmas message.

"The Israeli-Palestinian talks resumed in late July, after three years of interruption, but the efforts are hampered by the continuous building of Israeli settlements," said Fuad Twal, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land.

Twal stressed that, "while the world's attention has shifted from the situation in the Holy Land to the tragedy in Syria, it must be stated that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains crucial to the region and is a major obstacle in the development of our society and stability in the Middle East."

Shifting to the Syrian conflict, he called to "immediately establish" a "sustainable" ceasefire and to "prevent any entry of outside weapons."

"As the Syrian problem cannot be resolved by the force of arms, we call on all political leaders to assume the responsibility for finding a mutually acceptable political solution that will end the senseless violence and uphold respect for the dignity of people," he said.

Twal noted that instability in the Middle East "affects everyone, but especially our faithful who are tempted to emigrate."