Today, October 7, marks the second anniversary of Hamas’s violent attack against Israel, which marked the beginning of a disproportionate and devastating reaction against the people of Gaza. These two years of suffering and destruction are now there for all to see, as Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, declared two days ago:
“For two years now, the war has absorbed much of our attention and energy. What has happened in Gaza is now sadly known to everyone. The ongoing massacres of civilians, hunger, repeated displacement, difficulty accessing hospitals and medical care, poor hygiene, not to mention those detained against their will.”
From the very beginning, AMU has been committed to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, supporting its relief projects to distribute food, medicine, and essential supplies to the displaced people hosted by the Patriarchate in its facilities in Gaza. This commitment has never ceased.
“A possible positive page”
In recent days, however, a faint hope has been kindled: “For the first time, however, the news finally speaks of a possible
new positive chapter, the release of Israeli hostages and some Palestinian prisoners, and the cessation of the bombing and military offensive. This is an important and long-awaited first step.”
Nothing is yet completely clear and defined, the Cardinal continues, but among the many questions that still await an answer, even without “getting any illusions” , something “new and positive” is brightening the horizon.
Indeed, Cardinal Pizzaballa continues in his long letter published on the website of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem: We await the moment to rejoice for the families of the hostages, who will finally be able to embrace their loved ones. We hope the same for the Palestinian families, who will be able to embrace those returning from prison. We rejoice above all for the end of hostilities, which we hope will not be temporary, but will bring relief to the inhabitants of Gaza. We also rejoice for all of us, because the possible end of this horrible war, which now truly seems close, will finally mark a new beginning for everyone, not just Israelis and Palestinians, but also for the entire world.
Nevertheless, he adds “We must, however, keep our feet on the ground. Much remains to be defined to give Gaza a peaceful future. The cessation of hostilities is only the first step—a necessary and indispensable one—on a treacherous path, in a context that remains problematic.”
Our fundraising campaign continues
AMU, which has always been close to vulnerable populations in the Middle East, confirms its support for the Patriarchate’s activities, continuing to raise funds so that aid can reach those most in need.
Let us make the Cardinal’s words our own, once again: The end of the war doesn’t necessarily mark the beginning of peace. But it is the first essential step to begin building it. We have a long journey ahead of us to rebuild trust among us, to give substance to hope, to detoxify ourselves from the hatred of these years. But we will commit ourselves to this, together with the many men and women here who still believe that it is possible to imagine a different future.
(Photo: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem)