Vatican Cardinal condemns Israel’s actions in Gaza as “ongoing massacre”
Vatican City: The Vatican’s top diplomat, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, has strongly criticised Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, describing it as an “ongoing massacre” of a defenceless population. His remarks, published on Monday, mark one of the Catholic Church’s most severe condemnations of Israel’s actions since the war began.
Speaking on the eve of the second anniversary of Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attacks on Israeli communities, Parolin called those attacks “inhuman and indefensible” and urged Hamas to release all remaining hostages. However, he maintained that Israel’s response had violated the principle of proportionality.
“Those who are attacked have a right to defend themselves, but even legitimate defence must respect proportionality,” said Parolin, who serves as the Vatican’s Secretary of State and one of Pope Leo’s closest aides. “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.”
Parolin further stated that the international community appeared “powerless” and that nations with real influence had “failed to act to stop the ongoing massacre.” He questioned the morality of continuing to supply weapons “being used against civilians,” though he did not name specific countries.
Since the 2023 Hamas-led assault that killed 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage, Israel’s retaliatory campaign in Gaza has reportedly killed more than 67,000 people, most of them civilians, according to Gaza health authorities.
Under Pope Leo, elected in May following the death of Pope Francis, the Vatican has intensified its criticism of Israel’s blockade and military actions, urging greater humanitarian access and pressing the issue in diplomatic meetings, including a September discussion with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Parolin concluded, “It’s not enough to say that what is happening is unacceptable and then continue to allow it to happen.”
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Ready to face no-confidence motion, says Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah
Hassan (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that the Congress government led by him was ready to face the no-confidence motion if moved by the opposition during the legislature session from December 8.
With Deputy CM D K Shivakumar by his side, he reiterated that they would both abide by the high command's decision on the leadership issue.
"Let them (opposition) bring in a no-confidence motion or adjournment motion or any other motion. We are ready to face it. Ours is an open book, transparent government. We are ready to face anything," Siddaramaiah said in response to a question.
However, BJP state President B Y Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashoka, clarified that the party, along with the JD(S) has not discussed or decided anything so far regarding moving a no-confidence motion against the government.
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The winter session of the Karnataka legislature will begin in Belagavi, bordering Maharashtra, on December 8 and will go on till 19th of this month.
Not wanting to react to a question on the leadership issue, the CM said the Congress high command is very strong.
"D K Shivakumar and I will be committed to whatever the high command decides," he said.
Earlier in the day in Bengaluru, Shivakumar accompanied AICC Mallikarjun Kharge till airport from Vidhana Soudha, after paying tributes to B R Ambedkar on his 69th death anniversary, which had led to some speculation about possible discussion between the two on the leadership issue.
The power tussle within the ruling party had intensified amid speculation about a change in chief minister in the state, after the Congress government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20.
However, both the CM and Deputy CM had recently held breakfast meetings at each others residences, on the instructions of the high command, which is seen as a move to pause the leadership tussle between the two and to signal Siddaramaiah's continuation as the CM for the time being, especially ahead of the Belagavi legislature session.
