Part of Caritas work with Palestinians includes healthcare. Copyright: Caritas/Katie Orlinsky
On 29th November, the world is called to show its solidarity with the Palestinian people. Here is a letter from Claudette Habesch, secretary general of Caritas Jerusalem, to mark this special day.
International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people
Journée internationale de solidarité avec le peuple palestinien
Filed under Caritas news, Gaza crisis, Holy Land
Shocking abuses and killings in Colombia are so under-reported that many Italians aren’t even aware of the country’s decades-long war.
Copyright: Caritas/Michelle Hough
By Michelle Hough, Caritas Internationalis communications officer
What with a police helicopter hovering over the Caritas offices for hours yesterday afternoon, I kept thinking about the film Apocalypse Now rather than writing a blog on Caritas Italiana’s book “Markets of War”*… and it was driving me a bit crazy. Continue reading
Abbot René Hascoët the fifth Abbot of the Trappist Abbey of Latrun with Caritas Jerusalem’s secretary general Mrs. Claudette Habecsh.
Representatives from Caritas Jerusalem, the Pontifical Mission and the Secretariat de la Solidarite visited Latrun Monastery yesterday in the wake of a vandalism attack.
The monastery is 25 km west of Jerusalem.
In the attack Tuesday, vandals spray painted “Jesus is a monkey” and the words “mutual responsibility” along with the names of evacuated illegal settler outposts Upper Migron and Maoz Esther, in large orange letters on the outside of the monastery. Continue reading
Filed under Holy Land, Peace and Reconciliation
By Claudette Habesch, Secretary General of Caritas Jerusalem
Since 1948, we Palestinians have experienced dispossession and exile. Our diaspora counts today more than 9 million people all over the world.
Since 1967, we Palestinians continue to live under occupation. Checkpoints, the separation wall, lack of access to farmlands and humiliation are part of our daily life.
For years, we plead for justice so that peace can come to the two peoples of the Holy Land. For years, we are asking for justice and an independent Palestinian state.
After decades of fruitless negotiations and faced with a shrinking homeland, we felt compelled to go to the United Nations to ask for the full recognition of the State of Palestine.
We hope the nations of the world will respond to our call for the respect and dignity of the Palestinian people at the General Assembly of the United Nations.
On this day of Solidarity, we wish no less than justice and peace.
Thanking you for your prayers, your solidarity, and your courage to stand with the rights of the Palestinian people.
Filed under Emergencies, Gaza crisis, Holy Land
Children in Gaza City suffer poverty, exculsion and fear. Caritas Jeruslaem believes recongition of Palestinian statehood at the United Nations will pay peace dividends both sides of the border. Credit: Katie Orlinsky/Caritas 2010
By Claudette Habesch, General Secretary of Caritas Jerusalem
Greetings from the Holy City of the Resurrection, City of Hope where life conquered death.
This week will see an important event for us all in Palestine and Israel. The Palestinian Authority will request the United Nations to vote on the recognition of Palestine as a full member state.
At Caritas Jerusalem, we have seen the ravages of the occupation on the people for the past 44 years. There is the destruction of houses and crops, the discrimination for access to resources and services, the fear of random arrest and the creeping despair that eventually we might lose the our land to Israeli settlers. The feeling of injustice and humiliation is in every heart. If Palestine becomes a UN member, Palestinians will regain their dignity. They will be considered as equals in peace negotiations and when defending their cause in the UN forum. They will have access to the International Court of Justice to protect the rights of their land. They will finally believe in a peaceful future in Palestine for their children.
A positive vote will not result in an instant peace agreement between Israel and Palestine. However, this is a real opportunity to restart the negotiations. The vote is a chance for us Palestinians to demonstrate our determination to achieve a rue stable and democratic state living peacefully alongside Israel. It is also a chance for the international community to show that they truly support the two-state solution and the principle of self-determination of people enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
Please show your support to Palestine’s bid to the UN, write to your government, sign petitions and take part in peaceful demonstrations.
We do pray with all our heart for the voices of peace and justice to prevail on both Palestinian and Israeli sides. We pray for Jerusalem to witness a true miracle – from a City of Hope to become a City of Peace.
Filed under Gaza crisis, Holy Land
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