Caritas pledges aid to Holy Land

Sydney
28 April 2002

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Caritas pledges aid to Holy Land

Caritas Australia has pledged $40,000 in immediate aid to Caritas Jerusalem to assist those affected by the current violence in the Holy Land.

The funds will go towards providing emergency food and medical supplies, clothing and bedding to people whose possessions have been destroyed in the fighting, as well as basic repairs to damaged houses.

Caritas Jerusalem has a presence in Jerusalem, Ramallah and Jenin and, through its work with other reputable community-based organisations in the West Bank and Gaza, can target and reach those most in need.

Caritas Australia has echoed the international Caritas network’s shock at the violent and frightening events of the last few weeks in the Holy Land, and expressed grief for all of those who have lost their lives, both Israeli and Palestinian.

“Caritas Australia un reservedly condemns both the attacks against the Palestinian people and against Israeli civilians,” said Jack de Groot, Caritas Australia national director.

The massive assault on Palestinian cities, towns and refugee camps in the West Bank and Gaza by the Israeli army has led to enormous suffering.

Caritas Internationalis says that some ambulances have been prevented from saving lives and have been fired at by the Israeli army.

“Palestinian clinics are in need of medicines but cannot get them,” it said. “Many children cannot go to school. There have been random shootings of civilians, including children and women, by Israeli soldiers at checkpoints.”

Caritas Internationalis has also condemned the attacks on Israeli civilians.

“The horrific attacks in Netanya and Jerusalem were clearly aimed at undermining any prospect for a political settlement.”

The emergency relief will particularly target displaced people such as those at the Jenin refugee camp whose lives have been further been disrupted by the recent violence.

An estimated 200 Palestinian gunmen have taken refuge in the Church of the Nativity, in Bethlehem, bringing the Christian churches directly into the conflict.

While some critics have suggested that the churches have lost their neutrality and are siding with the Palestinians, Claudette Habesch of Caritas Jerusalem denies this.

“We help people in need. We don’t care about their religion,” she said. “We help human beings based on their need, not on their creed.”

To give to Caritas Australia’s relief effort in the Holy Land, call 1800 024 413 or send a cheque to 19 MacKenzie St, North Sydney 2060.