Caritas condemns Israeli raid on ‘Freedom Flotilla’
June 02, 2010
Caritas Internationalis, the consortium of Catholic charitable and relief agencies, has joined Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi in condemning the Israeli raid on the “Freedom Flotilla” headed for the Gaza Strip.
“I'm deeply saddened that a convoy of humanitarian aid destined for the poor in Gaza has resulted in violence and loss of life,” said Caritas Internationalis Secretary General Lesley-Anne Knight. “Dialogue should have been used initially to avoid any confrontation and that the response by the Israeli forces should have been proportionate.”
“The attack on the Free Gaza flottilla has cut a lifeline of hope and solidarity with all Gazans, including Caritas workers stranded on this narrow strip of land,” said Claudette Habesch, Caritas Jerusalem secretary general. “We were looking forward to welcoming them,” added Ameen Sabbagh, who works for Caritas in Gaza. “People had prepared events, conferences and visits to hospitals and centers for the disabled. This was our chance to show the world the effects of the blockade on 1.5 million people.”
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Further information:
- Deaths on humanitarian convoy headed for Gaza deeply saddening (Caritas)
- Vatican decries Israeli raid on 'Freedom Flotilla' (CWN, 5/31)
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