The Bishops issued a joint statement highlighting the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the "relentless" system of occupation in the West Bank that threatens human dignity of all who live there.

The bishops, from Europe and North America, spent five days "listening at the margins" through encounters with Bedouin communities, Christian villages under pressure, and Palestinian and Israeli peace activists.

They visited Bedouin communities in the West Bank where they witnessed intimidation and property destruction caused by extremist settler violence.

The itinerary also included a visit to Taybeh, the only completely Christian town in Palestine, where residents described a campaign of land seizure, settlement expansion, and attacks on olive trees, a significant source of livelihood, which is driving mass emigration of residents.

Archbishop Nolan spoke of his experiences to Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and took part in a video dialogue with Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza.

The Archbishop said: "We come to a country which is traumatised... All sides, whether it's the Israeli side or the Palestinian side, have been traumatised by years of conflict, and even more so by the atrocities of the 7th of October attacks and then by the Gaza war. It’s very difficult for people, when they’re suffering themselves, to see the pain of the other side.

“This land is for everyone who lives here and that has to be accepted by all sides.

“We went to visit some Bedouins who are under great pressure... there are Israeli settlers who are causing so much harassment by their violent actions, destroying people's livelihoods. There's a campaign to try and disrupt the lives of Palestinians on their land, to encourage them to go away and to disappear. It seems to be left completely unhindered by the authorities.

“Life here will not improve until the occupation comes to an end. At the heart of the problem is this: the Palestinians live under a military occupation in the West Bank and in Gaza... we do need them to be given a state of their own.

“There are many impressive people here working for justice and peace, and they’re the people that give us hope. Everyone wants peace... if only everyone could realise that the only way to peace is through justice."

Central to the Bishops’ visit were dialogues with those working for reconciliation and human rights within Israeli and Palestinian society:

• The Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue: A Jerusalem-based interreligious organisation where the bishops discussed the promotion of interreligious and political dialogue among Jews, Christians, and Muslims.

• Rabbis for Human Rights: Representing the voice of Jewish tradition in the field of human rights, this non-partisan organization brings together over 170 rabbis and students from all denominations. They are uniquely activist, putting pressure on policymakers to safeguard human rights for all, including Palestinians in the territories, rooted in the conviction that every person is created in the image of God.

• The Parents Circle - Families Forum: A group of Israeli and Palestinian parents who have all lost children to the conflict yet find the strength to advocate together for reconciliation and justice for all peoples.

In their final comuniqué the Bishops urge global governments to exert pressure on Israel to uphold the "rules-based international order" and to revive meaningful negotiations for a two-state solution.

Echoing the call of Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, the delegation also invite the international community to return to the Holy Land on pilgrimage as a tangible sign of support and solidarity.