World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés spoke Thursday at the Washington National Cathedral during an interfaith memorial service for seven of the group's workers killed in Gaza.Image: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
Updated April 25, 2024 at 2:16 PM ET
WASHINGTON — Their mission was to provide a light of humanity to people pushed into desperate situations and to deliver food to communities devastated by war and disaster. On Thursday, the World Central Kitchen community held a celebration. Seven aid workers were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza three weeks later.
“They are trying to feed people they don't know and will never see again,” José Andrés, World Central Kitchen's founder and chef, told the crowd gathered at the National Cathedral. , I risked everything.” “It is in the worst moments that the best parts of humanity emerge.”
Mr. Andres mentioned the name of Saifeddin “Safi” Issam Ayad Abutaha, a Palestinian. John Chapman from England. Jacob Flickinger in the United States and Canada; Australia's Lalzaumi “Zomi” Francome. British James Henderson and James Kirby. and Damian Sobol from Poland.
“They were the best of humanity,” he said. “Their example should inspire us to do better and be better.”
Interfaith services were closed to the public, but videos were streamed online. Organizers said 560 people attended, including World Central Kitchen staff, staff from other humanitarian organizations, U.S. government officials, and diplomats from more than 30 countries.
Andres said each World Central Kitchen employee was called into action in response to disasters such as volcanic eruptions, wars and earthquakes.
His words trembled with emotion as he talked about Francome.
“From the beginning, we always felt that she embodied our spirit and purpose,” he said. “More than giving her food, she gave joy to others. She danced, sang, played with children… Her compassion and curiosity were contagious.”
Celebrants for the service included the Cathedral's Dean, the Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, and the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, the Right Rev. Marian Edgar Budde. Rabbi Susan N. Shankman, senior rabbi of the Washington Hebrew Congregation, and Imam Talib M. Sharif, imam and president of Masjid Muhammad, Washington's national mosque, will also speak.
Behind the group stood a choir, and behind them stood flags representing the seven aid workers' hometowns.
Andres said the workers were heroes. He cited inspiration from the works of John Steinbeck. grapes of wrath.
“If there's a fight to feed the hungry, I'll go there,” he said, referring to the character Tom Joad's famous speech. “The seven souls we commemorate today were there so that the hungry could be fed.”
Participants filled the main parts of the cathedral's nave and side aisles for the service, which included memorials to slain humanitarians, readings from Jewish, Islamic and Christian traditions, and prayers for peace. etc. were carried out. Musicians such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma will perform.
Also in attendance at the rally were Vice President Harris' husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell.
At least 224 humanitarian workers have been killed as of early April in the Israeli-Hamas war that began last October. According to the UN Security Council, this figure is “more than three times the number of humanitarian workers killed in a single conflict recorded in one year.”
Andres said that compared to the other workers killed, the more than 34,000 Palestinians the Gaza health ministry says have died, and the roughly 1,200 Israelis killed by Hamas. Our losses may seem small.”
“But each of these people leaves behind loved ones who will always be in their hearts,” he added.
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