The Pizzaballa case rocks the political world: religious freedom and humanitarian aid take centre stage

The regrettable incident in which Israeli soldiers barred Monsignor Pizzaballa from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre has shaken Italian politics and prompted calls for the Israeli government to take a clear stance; the government has repeatedly been the subject of criticism and complaints from the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem in the past.
The prompt response from the Israeli government and Presidency, in a clumsy attempt to defuse international complaints from certain European governments, raises the issue of the right to practise religious rites and the Church’s right to carry out its charitable work amongst the Palestinian population.
And it is in reference to this latter right that the Forum Sad network, with its campaign “A Healing Network for Gaza”, stands alongside Monsignor Pizzaballa. GSI Italia expresses its solidarity with him and reaffirms its renewed commitment to supporting his pastoral work in the field of healthcare for the Palestinian population, through the “health campaign for Palestine”.

photo Ansa