While many reports and views have been reported in the news, what is the global christian community saying about the incident? Here are some:
World Council of Churches
It is with great distress that the World Council of Churches received the news that the Israeli naval forces stormed a Gaza-bound vessel carrying humanitarian aid in international waters before dawn on Monday, killing at least 10 civilians and injuring many more. We condemn the assault and killing of innocent people who were attempting to deliver humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, who have been under a crippling Israeli blockade since 2007. We further condemn the flagrant violation of international law by Israel in attacking and boarding a humanitarian convoy in international waters. We pray for all those who are affected by the attack, especially the bereaved families. Read more here…
Vatican
In written remarks to journalists yesterday, Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi condemned the recent “unnecessary loss of human life” in an Israeli raid on a flotilla of Palestinian supporters and reiterated the Vatican’s concern over the situation. Read more here…
Caritas
Caritas aid workers in Gaza have expressed their shock and disappointment over Israel’s attack on a convoy of passenger boats bringing humanitarian aid.
“We really thought they would succeed”, said Ameen Sabbagh, Caritas coordinator in Gaza, still shocked by the news. “The port of Gaza was even repaired to welcome the flotilla”.
… more than material, the ships were bringing hope to the people of Gaza. “We were looking forward to welcoming foreign peace activists. People had prepared events, conferences and visits to hospitals and centres for disabled. This was our chance to show the world the effects of the blockade on 1,5 million people.” said Ameen. Read more here…
Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP)
… The blockade has not had the desired results. Hamas remains in power. Rocket attacks have not completely stopped. Smuggling of goods through tunnels under Gaza’s border with Egypt has become an economy of its own. Paradoxically this underground trade is controlled and taxed by Hamas. President Obama has said that “the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel’s security interests.”
The Gaza flotilla incident also underlines the necessity of pressing without delay for a comprehensive agreement for peace between Israel and the Palestinians, beginning with the indirect talks now being brokered by the United States. Read more here…
The Micah Mandate is a Christian-based public interest advocacy ministry that seeks a transformation of our nation through justice, mercy and humility.
June 7th, 2010 at 9:10 am
I think it interesting to note that neither the WCC nor the Vatican urge an end to the Gaza blockade; and only those with a specific local interest (Caritas, CMEP) are talking about that. I’m not sure it’s fair to say that the ‘Global christian community’ urges an end to the blockade; although it would be fair to say that the ‘Global christian community’ urges peace on both sides. Personally, I am saddened by the loss of life, as are many – yet I am more saddened when those residing in Israel proper are killed through random indiscriminate rocket attacks. Those who were killed on the boat were engaged in violent struggle with those who fought back, yet those who try to live peacefully in Israel are killed without warning through the random terror of their terrorist neighbours.
August 29th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
The Palestinians are crazy even to consider talking to Israel when it continues to build on Palestinian lands in Jerusalem and the West Bank. Also, without the involvement of Hamas, the talks are meaningless. The prediction that the negotiations will be complete “successfully” within one year shows that Obama and Hillary Clinton are completely delusional. They seem to live in a different planet.