jeff mason
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Celebrity chef José Andrés called the seven aid workers killed by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip “the best of humankind” on Thursday as hundreds of people gathered at Washington's National Cathedral. called, interrupted by sadness and continuous questions. attack.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel mistakenly killed seven people working at Andres' charity World Central Kitchen (WCK) in an airstrike earlier this month, sparking global condemnation and・He requested that President Biden facilitate the acceptance of aid to Gaza. Otherwise, it risks shifting U.S. support.
Andres told Reuters in an interview earlier this month that Israeli attacks targeted them “in a systematic manner, car by car.”
During Thursday's prayer service, the following workers were honored: Saifeddin Issam Ayad Abutaha, John Chapman, Jacob Flickinger, Lalzaumi Francom, James Henderson, James Kirby, and Damien Sobol. , praised him while repeating his emotional eulogy.
“The seven souls we commemorate today were there to feed the hungry,” he said, referring to Gaza residents. “They risked everything to feed people they didn’t know.”
“They were the best of humanity. Their example should inspire us to do better and be better,” he said.
Andres said WCK continues to demand an investigation into the Israeli military's actions against the workers and that official explanations are not sufficient.
“There is no excuse for these killings. There is none,” he said.
The service included readings and prayers from Islamic, Jewish and Christian traditions, as well as a musical tribute by renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
More than 500 people attended, including families of victims, WCK staff, U.S. officials and diplomats from more than 30 countries, WCK representatives said.
Vice President Kamala Harris' husband Doug Emhoff represented Biden at the White House during his visit to New York.
(Reporting by Jeff Mason; Editing by Heather Timmons and Bill Berkrot)
