Top Vatican cardinal says Israel carrying out massacre in Gaza
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Cardinal Pietro Parolin says Israel has been targeting “a largely defenceless population”.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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VATICAN CITY – The Vatican’s top diplomat sharply criticised Israel’s “ongoing massacre” in Gaza in comments published on Oct 6, one of the Catholic Church’s strongest condemnations of Israel’s war against the militant group Hamas.
In an interview tied to the second anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israeli communities on Oct 7, 2023, Cardinal Pietro Parolin also called those attacks “inhumane and indefensible” and urged Hamas to free the remaining hostages.
“Those who are attacked have a right to defend themselves, but even legitimate defence must respect the principle of proportionality,” said Cardinal Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state and one of Pope Leo’s top deputies.
“The war waged by the Israeli army to eliminate Hamas militants disregards the fact that it is targeting a largely defenceless population, already pushed to the brink, in an area where buildings and homes are reduced to rubble,” he said.
“It is clear that the international community is, unfortunately, powerless and that the countries truly capable of exerting influence have so far failed to act to stop the ongoing massacre,” Cardinal Parolin told the Vatican’s media outlet.
The Vatican, which has embassies in many capitals, normally uses guarded language in addressing conflicts, preferring to avoid press coverage and operate behind the scenes.
But Pope Leo, elected in May after the death of Pope Francis, has been stepping up criticism of Israel’s campaign in Gaza.
He has urged Israel to let in more aid
Cardinal Parolin added: “It’s not enough to say that what is happening is unacceptable and then continue to allow it to happen.”
“We must seriously ask ourselves about the legitimacy of continuing to supply weapons that are being used against civilians,” he added. He did not name any countries.
Israel attacked Gaza after the Hamas-led attack in 2023 in which some 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies.
Israel’s campaign has killed more than 67,000 in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to Gaza’s health authorities. REUTERS
