The Holy Land Thread

[Wosbald]

+JMJ+

Source: America / CNS
Link: americamagazine DOT org/politics-society/2023/10/16/jerusalem-cardinal-pizzaballa-offer-hostage-exchange-246305

Jerusalem cardinal offers himself in exchange for Israeli hostages

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VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Catholic Church’s highest ranking prelate in the Holy Land offered his “absolute availability” to be exchanged for Israeli children taken hostage by Hamas.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, told reporters during an online meeting Oct. 16 that he is willing to do “anything” to “bring to freedom and bring home the children” taken into Gaza during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, in which more than 1,300 Israelis were killed. The Israeli military said Oct. 16 that some 200 people, including children and elderly persons, are being held hostage.

Returning the hostages held in Gaza is “absolutely necessary” to stopping the ongoing violence between Israel and Hamas, the cardinal said. He expressed the Vatican’s willingness to assist in de-escalation and mediation efforts but said they had not been able to speak with Hamas.

Cardinal Pizzaballa said some 1,000 Christians in Gaza are currently sheltering in church-affiliated buildings because “they don’t know where to go and moving is dangerous.”

While Christians concentrated in northern Gaza were told to leave the area by the Israeli military, “practically all have chosen to stay there because it is safer for them to stay, since the situation is even more delicate elsewhere.” The cardinal said none of the Christians sheltering in Gaza have been killed, though some have suffered light wounds.

“Moving is dangerous because many die in transfers,” and “possible places of refuge are already overflowing; there is no place to go,” he said.

The cardinal said that some 500 Christians are sheltering at a Latin-rite church, some 400 are in a Greek Orthodox church and approximately 300 are at a YMCA. “Supplies are beginning to run short,” he said. “We try, through our contacts, to make as many physical supplies as possible reach (them), provisions such as medicine, water, even generators.”

Cardinal Pizzaballa said the Catholic Church, in coordination with humanitarian agencies, is “trying to insist” that a humanitarian corridor can be opened into Gaza to allow basic necessities to be brought in.

[…]

[FredS]

The sentiment is appreciated, but there's less terror value in killing an old man than in killing dozens of children. And yeah, they'll be killed. Probably already dead.

[Wosbald]

+JMJ+

Source: America
Link: americamagazine DOT org/politics-society/2023/10/18/pope-francis-war-israel-gaza-peace-246314

Pope Francis appeals to all believers on Israel–Hamas war: ‘Take only one side … that of peace’

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Vatican City — Pope Francis today called for the silencing of guns and the avoidance of “a humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza. He also declared Oct. 27 as World Day of Prayer for peace, which he invited all Christians and people of any faith to join.

[…]

During the general audience, Pope Francis said, “Dear brothers and sisters, my thoughts go to Palestine and Israel,” a remark that drew long applause from the crowd. “The victims increase, and the situation in Gaza is desperate,” he said. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, some 3,200 Palestinians, including around 1,030 children, have been killed and 12,500 injured in Gaza by the constant Israeli bombing over the past 12 days. The strikes come in retaliation for the more than 1,400 Israelis, mostly civilians, killed in the attack by Hamas in southern Israel on Oct. 7. Many more were injured, and nearly 200 Israelis, including women and children, were taken hostage by Hamas and are still being held in Gaza.

“The situation in Gaza is desperate,” the pope said. Gaza, a 141-square-mile enclave with a population of 2.3 million people, has been under total siege since Oct. 7, and Israel is preventing electricity, gas, food, water and medical supplies from entering the area. “Please do everything possible to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe,” he said.

“The possible expansion of the conflict is disturbing, while in the world many war fronts are already open,” Pope Francis said. There is deep concern at the Vatican and in many countries that the continuation of the war declared by Israel on Hamas could also lead to the involvement of Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syria and even Iran.

“Let the guns be silenced!,” Pope Francis appealed yet again, as President Biden was about to land in Israel. The United States has been the biggest backer of Israel since the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 and is seen as the only country that could pressure Israel to exercise restraint in this new war. “Listen to the cry of the poor, of the people, of the children,” the pope appealed.

Pope Francis told the crowd: “Brothers and sisters, war does not resolve any problem. It only sows death and destruction. It increases hate, multiplies the vendetta. War cancels the future. It cancels the future!”

Aware that each side in this fierce conflict is seeking to draw people worldwide to support their narrative and side, Francis said: “I exhort believers to take only one side in this conflict, that of peace. But not with words but with prayer, with total dedication.”

In this context, he said, “I have decided to declare Friday, Oct. 27, as a day of fasting, prayer and penance, to which I invite join — in the way that is considered opportune — the brothers and sisters of the different Christian confessions, and the adherents of other religions who have in their hearts the cause of peace in the world.”

He announced that at 8 p.m. (Rome time) on the evening of Oct. 27 there will be held in St. Peter’s Basilica, “in a spirit of penitence, an hour of prayer to implore for peace in our days, peace in this world.” He called on all Catholic churches in different countries to participate in this prayer event by “organizing similar initiatives that will involve the people of God.”

He concluded by inviting everyone, “Let us pray for peace and let us not forget the martyred Ukraine about which there is no longer talk, but the drama continues.”

[Del]

+JMJ+

Source: America
Link: americamagazine DOT org/politics-society/2023/10/18/pope-francis-war-israel-gaza-peace-246314

Pope Francis appeals to all believers on Israel–Hamas war: ‘Take only one side … that of peace’

Peace happens when both sides desire peace.

Israel desires only peace. Hamas desires war... and unfortunately, it only takes one side to start a war.

There will be peace when Hamas desires peace. This will not happen until Hamas is utterly defeated.

[Del]

Peace happens when both sides desire peace.

Israel desires only peace. Hamas desires war... and unfortunately, it only takes one side to start a war.

There will be peace when Hamas desires peace. This will not happen until Hamas is utterly defeated.

As I was thinking more about this, a quote from Dennis Prager came to mind:

"Consider Israel and all of Israel's enemies -- Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, etc.

"If you take away all the weapons from Israel's enemies, there will be peace.
If you take away all the weapons from Israel, then Israel gets destroyed."

[Wosbald]

+JMJ+

Source: Crux
Link: cruxnow DOT com/church-in-the-middle-east/2023/10/crs-warns-of-unprecedented-suffering-in-gaza-if-aid-isnt-allowed-in-immediately

CRS warns of ‘unprecedented suffering’ in Gaza if aid isn’t allowed in immediately

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NEW YORK — Following an Oct. 18 announcement from Israel and President Joe Biden that humanitarian aid will be allowed into Gaza from Egypt, the president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services is calling for the implementation of a plan to do so immediately.

The call comes as an estimated two million people remain trapped in Gaza amid a conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began with Hamas’ Oct. 7 terrorist attacks on Israel, and which continues to escalate. Observers say people trapped in Gaza are desperate for food, water, electricity, shelter, medicine and other essentials.

Sean Callahan, the president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services, said Oct. 18 that it’s impossible to relocate the large population in Gaza in the middle of the conflict, and that if something isn’t done soon there will be “unprecedented levels of suffering.”

“The situation of civilians in Gaza is extremely alarming and desperate, and we need to act now to prevent a total humanitarian catastrophe,” Callahan said in a statement.

“Millions are currently trapped, including 1 million children, in a nightmare of violence and displacement, with no end in sight,” Callahan said. “They need urgent humanitarian action. We cannot stand by and watch them suffer. We must act now to save lives and restore hope.”

Since Oct. 7, electricity has been cut off and no food, water, fuel, or other goods have been allowed into Gaza. A land, air, and sea blockade has been in place in Gaza since 2007, so emergency supplies are also limited in the region. CRS said it stands ready to help those in the region with emergency food, water and living supplies, safe shelters, protection, and trauma counseling as soon as allowed.

CRS — the U.S. Bishops international humanitarian agency — has 50 staff in Gaza. The organization has had a presence in the Holy Land since 1961, providing services like emergency relief, health care and education, as well as implementing peace building programs.

[…]

Callahan said CRS appreciates [Pres. Biden's announcement of $100m in humanitarian assistance for Palestinians], but noted the process must start soon.

“We appreciate the president’s call for respect for the human dignity of all and his announcement that humanitarian aid will be allowed into Gaza from Egypt,” Callahan said. “Civilians in Gaza cannot wait any longer and this plan must be implemented immediately.”

[Del]

+JMJ+

Source: Crux
Link: cruxnow DOT com/church-in-the-middle-east/2023/10/crs-warns-of-unprecedented-suffering-in-gaza-if-aid-isnt-allowed-in-immediately

CRS warns of ‘unprecedented suffering’ in Gaza if aid isn’t allowed in immediately

Israel has promised to turn the water and electric power back on, if Hamas would only return the hostages they took during their murderous terror attack.

This is more than fair. After all, Israel never needed to provide free power and water to Palestine in the first place. Israel just wants their people back. Power and water would go very far to cure Hamas's humanitarian crisis.

Hamas does not care about Palestinians. So it doesn't matter what we care.

[Hovannes]

This seems pertinent:

[Jocose]

https://x.com/AmyMek/status/1715091679320142275?s=20

America's next generation of Jihads...

"Students" at Balboa High School in San Francisco marched through the halls chanting the slogan "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."

"This slogan, which basically means Israel has no right to exist on the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea – in other words, all the land that currently makes up Israel -- has long been endorsed by Islamic terror groups that openly call for eliminating Israel.

This slogan is a common call to arms for those who want to destroy Israel.

Hamas has never missed an opportunity to declare its intention to deliver the same message. In December 2022, on the 35th anniversary of its founding, Hamas unveiled its slogan: "Palestine from the river to the sea." A map accompanying the slogan depicted -- without Israel -- all the land from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.

Earlier this year, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh again repeated his group's goal of destroying Israel, saying:

"All of Palestine, from the river to the sea, and from Ras al-Naquora [on the Israel-Lebanon border] to Umm al-Rashrash [Eilat, Israel's southernmost city], is one land that is indivisible and cannot be sold or bargained."

Hamas spokesperson Husam Badran also affirmed his group's endorsement of eliminating Israel: "The Palestine we know is from the river to the sea -- not missing an inch," he said.

By using this slogan, Iran and Hamas are saying, bluntly, that there is no room for a Jewish state in the Middle East.

Similarly, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, another Iranian-backed terror group based in the Gaza Strip, also insists that the entire land from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea should fall under Islamic rule. Like Hamas, PIJ has been involved in countless terror attacks against Israel and rejects Israel's right to exist.

The anti-Israel "students" who chant "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" are -- whether they know it or not -- endorsing the ideology of Iran's mullahs, Hamas, and other terror groups that have long worked to achieve their goal of destroying Israel.

These activists, who often describe themselves as "pro-Palestinian," do not actually care about Palestinians or "freeing Palestine."

If they did, they would instead be calling for better opportunities for Palestinians; Palestinian governance that was less corrupt; the equal application under Palestinian leadership of the rule of law; women's and children's rights, and freedom of speech, assembly and the press.

The current protestors are nothing but Israel-haters -- really, anti-Semites -- who have aligned themselves with Muslim extremists and terrorists.

By chanting "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" on a university campus in the West or at a rally in New York, these activists are serving as a mouthpiece for Muslim terrorists who attacked, killed, raped, and kidnapped Israelis and Jews." - https://gatestoneinstitute.org/19641/pa ... ver-to-sea

What is Trecia Cruz the Dean of Students doing to protect Jewish children in this school? What is the school doing to protect all non-Muslims in this school? Here is the schools' website - https://sfusd.edu/school/balboa-high-school

[Hovannes]

+JMJ+

Source: Crux
Link: cruxnow DOT com/church-in-the-middle-east/2023/10/crs-warns-of-unprecedented-suffering-in-gaza-if-aid-isnt-allowed-in-immediately

CRS warns of ‘unprecedented suffering’ in Gaza if aid isn’t allowed in immediately

〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰

NEW YORK — Following an Oct. 18 announcement from Israel and President Joe Biden that humanitarian aid will be allowed into Gaza from Egypt, the president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services is calling for the implementation of a plan to do so immediately.

The call comes as an estimated two million people remain trapped in Gaza amid a conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began with Hamas’ Oct. 7 terrorist attacks on Israel, and which continues to escalate. Observers say people trapped in Gaza are desperate for food, water, electricity, shelter, medicine and other essentials.

Sean Callahan, the president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services, said Oct. 18 that it’s impossible to relocate the large population in Gaza in the middle of the conflict, and that if something isn’t done soon there will be “unprecedented levels of suffering.”

“The situation of civilians in Gaza is extremely alarming and desperate, and we need to act now to prevent a total humanitarian catastrophe,” Callahan said in a statement.

“Millions are currently trapped, including 1 million children, in a nightmare of violence and displacement, with no end in sight,” Callahan said. “They need urgent humanitarian action. We cannot stand by and watch them suffer. We must act now to save lives and restore hope.”

Since Oct. 7, electricity has been cut off and no food, water, fuel, or other goods have been allowed into Gaza. A land, air, and sea blockade has been in place in Gaza since 2007, so emergency supplies are also limited in the region. CRS said it stands ready to help those in the region with emergency food, water and living supplies, safe shelters, protection, and trauma counseling as soon as allowed.

CRS — the U.S. Bishops international humanitarian agency — has 50 staff in Gaza. The organization has had a presence in the Holy Land since 1961, providing services like emergency relief, health care and education, as well as implementing peace building programs.

[…]

Callahan said CRS appreciates [Pres. Biden's announcement of $100m in humanitarian assistance for Palestinians], but noted the process must start soon.

“We appreciate the president’s call for respect for the human dignity of all and his announcement that humanitarian aid will be allowed into Gaza from Egypt,” Callahan said. “Civilians in Gaza cannot wait any longer and this plan must be implemented immediately.”

Sorry, Wos. Humanitarian aid for Gaza is nothing but a cruel joke.
Gazans are already suffering, and --wait for it---images of suffering Gazans is useful and powerful propaganda.
It makes dupes like CRS and Biden and Francis send aid to resupply Hamas.
Hamas has a record of robbing humanitarian aid.
Don't say UNRWA tied to warn
https://www.wionews.com/world/un-agency ... n-x-647660

Newsflash CRS & Biden & Francis---Hamas is not going to have a come to Jesus moment.
If they can stomach beheading babies (not unlike Planned Parenthood) and burning teens alive, the only thing that would force them to let humanitarian aid flow (and return hostages) is a loss of political power in Gaza, and Gazans can't or won't rebel.
Hamas controls all the fighters. Gazans sadly, are the sheeple.