Irish bishops have accused the Israeli government of carrying out “genocidal actions” and engaging in “ethnic cleansing” in the Gaza Strip, reports Breaking News.
The Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called for a halt to arms deliveries to Israel and encouraged churchgoers to contact their political representatives.
They announced that throughout June, parishes across Ireland are being encouraged to show their support for the Palestinian people in their current hardship, reports Breaking News.
“In Gaza people are starving and adequate aid is being denied; it seems clear that famine is being used as a weapon of war. Already over 600,000 Palestinians have been displaced,” it said, reports Breaking News.
“The evidence points to a staged strategy of ethnic cleansing aimed at removing the Palestinian people from their homes and their homeland.
“It is becoming increasingly clear to people on the ground that these are genocidal actions sanctioned by the Government of Israel,” reports Breaking News.
According to Gaza’s health authorities, Israel’s 20-month military campaign has resulted in nearly 55,000 Palestinian deaths.
The military assault has razed large sections of Gaza and forced nearly 90% of its residents to flee, often more than once, reports Breaking News.
Following the end of a ceasefire with Hamas, Israel enforced a blockade lasting over two months, which has raised fears of famine, while a new aid delivery plan backed by both Israel and the US has been plagued by disorder and violence.
“What is happening in Gaza – and the West Bank – is the death of tens of thousands of non-combatants, many of them women and children,” the Irish bishops said, reports Breaking News.
“This is unconscionable and disproportionate. It is immoral for world leaders to stand by inactively in the face of this outrageous tragedy for humanity,” reports Breaking News.
The bishops called on the public to advocate to elected officials, provide support for aid efforts, and pray for peace.
It added: “There is an urgent need for the international community to intervene, cut off arms supplies and bring the carnage to an end. This will call for courage on the part of leaders. Examples of courage are being given every day by heroic doctors, nurses and aid workers risking their lives in service of the wounded and those who have been displaced,” reports Breaking News.
The bishops’ statement, released Friday, referenced a May 28th address from Pope Leo XIV, who highlighted the suffering of parents in Gaza.
The statement quoted him: “clutch the lifeless bodies of children and who are continually forced to move in search of a little food and safer shelter from bombing”.
“I renew my appeal to the leaders: ceasefire, release all hostages, fully respect humanitarian law,” reports Breaking News.
Israel began its offensive in Gaza after Hamas-led gunmen killed approximately 1,200 people, the majority civilians, and took 251 hostages on October 7th, 2023.
Currently, 55 hostages remain in captivity — fewer than half are believed to be alive — after more than half were released through ceasefire agreements or other arrangements, reports Breaking News.
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