The Mayor of Bethlehem, Maher Canawati, has issued a heartfelt plea to the international community to demonstrate more compassion and understanding towards the Palestinian people.

During a visit to Athens, Greece, a city that has been twinned with Bethlehem for nearly five decades, Canawati painted a dire picture of the situation in Gaza.

“The children of Gaza are starving, neighborhoods are being wiped out, there is no water, no electricity, no medication and no hospitals,” he said, emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian intervention.

Canawati’s words were echoed by Haris Doukas, the Mayor of Athens, who represents Greece’s social democrat main opposition Pasok party.

Doukas has been an outspoken critic of Israeli policies and used the visit to urge the Greek government to recognize the Palestinian state. “Everything is collapsing. Everything that moves in Gaza is targeted,” Canawati added, highlighting the devastating impact of the conflict on civilians.

The situation in Gaza has become increasingly dire, with the international community facing mounting pressure to act. Canawati noted that even mayors who speak out in support of Palestinians are being targeted.

“We have experienced lately that those who are helping us and supporting us, who call for truth, who call for justice, are also being suffocated,” he said. The mayor of Barcelona was denied access to Bethlehem just ten days ago, and three months prior, mayors from France faced similar restrictions.

The Israeli envoy to Athens publicly rebuked Doukas for not cleaning up “anti-Semitic graffiti” in the capital.

However, Doukas responded strongly, saying, “we do not accept lessons in democracy from those who kill civilians and children in food lines, from those who lead dozens of people to death in Gaza every day, from bombs, hunger and thirst.” This response underscores the deep divisions and strong emotions surrounding the conflict.

As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, Canawati’s call for humanity and recognition of the Palestinian state gains momentum. The international community must understand that the people of Palestine are humans who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

“The international community has to understand that there are people who live in Palestine, they are humans and they need to be handled as humans,” Canawati emphasized, urging a more compassionate approach to resolving the conflict.

The international community is facing mounting pressure to act on the dire situation in Gaza, where civilians are bearing the brunt of the conflict. Maher Canawati, the Mayor of Bethlehem, has been vocal about the need for humanitarian intervention, emphasizing that the people of Palestine deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. 

The situation in Gaza is catastrophic, with neighborhoods being wiped out, and essential services such as water, electricity, and medical care severely disrupted. Canawati’s words paint a vivid picture of the devastation, highlighting the urgent need for international action to address the humanitarian crisis.

Solidarity with the Palestinian People
The Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, has echoed Canawati’s sentiments, urging the Greek government to recognize the Palestinian state.

Doukas’s strong response to the Israeli envoy’s rebuke underscores the deep divisions and strong emotions surrounding the conflict. His words serve as a testament to the growing solidarity with the Palestinian people and the need for a more compassionate approach to resolving the conflict.

The international community has a critical role to play in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Canawati’s call for humanity and recognition of the Palestinian state is gaining momentum, with many urging a more nuanced approach to resolving the conflict.

By acknowledging the humanity of the Palestinian people, the international community can work towards a more sustainable and peaceful solution.

Organizations like Holy Land Roots, founded by Canawati’s family, are working tirelessly to support the Christian community in Bethlehem.

Their efforts focus on preserving the existence of the “living stones” in the Holy Land, providing medical support, education, and job opportunities. Such initiatives demonstrate the importance of community-led humanitarian efforts in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations.

As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, it is essential for the international community to prioritize humanitarian intervention and work towards a peaceful resolution.

By recognizing the humanity of the Palestinian people and addressing their needs, we can take a crucial step towards a more compassionate and sustainable solution to the conflict.