ROME – The International Jewish Commission for Interreligious Consultation (IJCIC) has written an open letter to Pope Francis criticizing the church's “one-sided perspective” on the Gaza conflict.
in letterthe IJCIC has taken issue with the Pope's “alarming and deeply concerning” comments on the Gaza conflict, which have been “repeated over and over again.”
Describing Israel's war effort against Hamas simply as an “atrocity” is wrong and “risks introducing a one-sided perspective that overlooks the broader context and complexity of the current crisis,” the letter said. are.
The carefully worded letter, signed by IJCIC President Rabbi Mark Dratch, states that Israel is fighting a “defensive war against jihadist terrorism” sparked by the “brutal and unprecedented massacre perpetrated by Hamas on October 7.” ” claims to be engaged in.
In this attack, Hamas killed more than 1,400 innocent Israelis and others in “cold blood,” and of the 251 hostages abducted that day, “101 remain under unspeakable conditions.” and are being held hostage,” the letter said.
Therefore, framing Israel's actions solely in terms of brutality, without acknowledging the need for the objective of dismantling the terrorist infrastructure that has repeatedly targeted civilians, “undermines the pain experienced by Israeli families and communities.” “mitigates” and further fuels “pervasive anti-Semitism,” the letter said. It is rampant all over the world.
In addition to the damage done to the Jewish community, such ambiguous statements “also risk undermining the moral clarity needed to confront the global threat of terrorism,” the text continues.
Not only does Hamas endanger Israeli lives, it also “stores weapons in hospitals, schools, and residential areas, and ruthlessly uses its own civilians as human shields” during fighting. It has become “extremely difficult” to prevent the deaths of innocent people, the report added. combatant.
The letter asserts that Israel's actions were “not motivated by atrocities but by the urgency of protecting its people from existential threats.”
Because silence on this issue “risks emboldening those who seek to sow hatred and destruction,” we urge the Holy See to “denounce, with equal fervor, the atrocities committed by Hamas regularly and strongly.” ”.
