The Higher Presidential Committee for Churches Affairs in Palestine holds Israel accountable for the devastating bombing of the Episcopal Church founded Al-Ahli Arab Hospital (Baptist Hospital) and the Church in Gaza, resulting in the massacre of more than 800 Palestinians. This deplorable crime is a grim addition to the long list of Israeli massacres against the Palestinian people, exacerbated by the silence of the international community.
The toll of innocent lives in Gaza from the relentless Israeli bombardment now exceeds 4000 Palestinians, 64% of which are children, women and the elderly. Dr. Ramzi Khouri, Member of the PLO Executive Committee and Head of the Higher Presidential Committee for Churches Affairs in Palestinian says that Israel intentionally targets children and women. Furthermore, he expressed his profound discontent at the world’s silence regarding the forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza.
The situation in Gaza is nothing short of catastrophic. Sixteen years ago, Israel has turned Gaza into the largest open-air prison in the world. Subjecting 2 million Palestinians – who are already under a suffocating siege – to a complete blockade, cutting electricity and water and banning the entry of food and fuel. All of this happens under the constant threat of indiscriminate bombardment without any access to safety or any form of protection. Such atrocities amount to genocide.
Israel’s blatant disregard for International law is intentional, as it targets hospitals places of worship and civilian homes. International law makes it very clear that hospitals, houses of worship and civilians’ homes may under no circumstances be the object of attack.
In light of this, the Higher Presidential Committee for Churches Affairs in Palestine calls upon world churches and the International Community to stop applying double standards, put an end to this escalation and protect the rights and lives of defenseless Palestinian civilians.
