“ISRAEL MUST STOP ITS MASSACRE OF LEBANESE PEOPLE”

  • Stated His Holiness Aram I 07/30/2006
  • “What has happened this morning in Kana, South Lebanon by Israel, is outrageous, inhuman and against the international law and conventions” said His Holiness Aram I in a statement made to the international press. “I simply don’t understand how Israel describes as ‘a technical error’ the shelling with his advanced and sophisticated war machine a building where children, women, sick and disabled people have taken refuge. All sorts of justification or clarification provided by Israel are unacceptable in the face of this human tragedy” said His Holiness.
  • Speaking about the Israeli attack on Lebanon of the last three weeks, Aram I said: “Was it a ‘technical error’ the shelling by Israel the UN observer post in South Lebanon, which took the lives of four UN observers? Was it ‘a technical error’ the pounding of the civilian cars, ambulances, and trucks carrying humanitarian aid to the refugees? Was it ‘a technical error’ the destruction of roads, bridges, electricity supplying centers and infrastructures? Was it ‘a technical error’ of bombarding buildings which housed hundreds of families?”
  • Then His Holiness emphatically stated: “This war must stop. It must stop immediately and without any condition. Innocent people are being killed, families are being destroyed; Lebanon is on the brink of collapse and people are still dealing with diplomacy. One cannot remain indifferent before human slaughter. Life is sacred. It is a gift of God. We must protect human life by all means. The UN and the powers of this world must act on this firm basis. This is the realistic way of dealing responsibly with this complex and critical situation. First protection of life and only then creation of proper conditions for diplomacy and for the settlement of the conflict. Therefore, I join my voice to that of the Spiritual Leaders, both Moslem and Christian, of Lebanon, to appeal to the international community, for an immediate cease-fire”, said His Holiness.
  • In his concluding remarks Aram I said: “We pray for these innocent people, the new martyrs of Lebanon. May God accept them in His heavenly Kingdom”.

THE DIOCESES OF THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA SUPPORT LEBANON

07/22/2006 

 

In light of the war situation in Lebanon, His Holiness Aram I issued a pontifical circular to all the dioceses of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, asking them to support Lebanon through the Lebanese embassies in their respective countries and the local leaders of Lebanese Christian and Muslim communities.

 

All the dioceses expressed support for Lebanon, calling for an immediate and full ceasefire and participating in the humanitarian aid efforts through the Lebanese embassies in their countries, where special committees have been formed for the provision of medicine, food, clothes and other essential material to Lebanon.

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I WORKS ON SECURING HUMANITARIAN AID TO LEBANON

THROUGH ECUMENICAL CONNECTIONS

07/19/2006 

 

Gerges Saleh, the general secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Dr. Samuel Kobia, the general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) as directors of ecumenical aid organizations established contact with His Holiness Aram I during the last few days for consultations on providing humanitarian aid to Lebanon.

 

The Pontiff advised to organize immediate arrangements for humanitarian aid through special committees. He considered, however, that the establishment of a ceasefire and security in Lebanon should be given priority over humanitarian aid.

 

The Armenian Catholicos received over the last few days calls of support through telephones and email from His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, Archbishop Mesrob Moutafian, the Patriarch of Constantinople, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the president of the Protestant Federation of France and other spiritual leaders.

 

 

ABOUT THE EVENTS OF THE LAST FEW DAYS

His Holiness Aram I highly praises all those who, in the last few days, expressed their concern and support by telephone, e-mails or faxes in light of the conflict in Lebanon.

On this occasion we would like to assure that the attacks are concentrated on the southern areas in Lebanon. The Armenian community of Lebanon is in no way subject to danger. The Armenians of Lebanon and all their structures continue their normal lives. More than ever, the Armenians are united and are closely following the development of the situation.

We pray that the attacks cease soon and complete and ever lasting peace is established in Lebanon and the Middle East.

Press Office