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Seven World Central Kitchen aid workers killed in Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip this month were remembered in a solemn ceremony in Washington on Thursday.
Dozens of mourners gathered at Washington National Cathedral, a neo-Gothic landmark in the US capital, for an interfaith “celebration of life.”
Pictures of those killed were displayed on a screen inside the church. Jacob Flickinger is a dual citizen of the United States and Canada. Larzaumi Francome from Australia. Polish national Damian Sobol and British nationals John Chapman, James Kirby and James Henderson.
José Andres, the well-known chef and philanthropist who founded the aid organization, occasionally raised his voice as he spoke about each volunteer.
“They were the best of humanity,” Andres said.
“There is no excuse for these killings, there is none at all,” he said. “The official explanation is not sufficient. We still demand an independent investigation.”
Catholic priests, rabbis and imams prayed and read the Bible, and the cathedral choir sang hymns. Famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma also appears.
Charity boss Jose Andres says Israel is targeting Gaza workers – video
Charity boss Jose Andres says Israel is targeting Gaza workers
Approximately 560 people attended, including the victims' families and organizations. Those in attendance included Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, and Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen.
On April 1, a drone attack on an Israeli convoy on a food delivery mission in the Gaza Strip killed seven aid workers.
Israel apologized and said after a quick investigation, the military attacked the convoy after mistakenly believing it was carrying members of an armed group.
The killing sparked global outrage, with President Joe Biden threatening that US support for Israel could change if more is not done to address the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza.
According to the United Nations, 224 aid workers have been killed in Gaza since the war began.
Andres said Israel's invasion of the Gaza Strip is no longer a “war on terror” but a “war against humanity itself.”
More than 34,300 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7, after Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people, according to local health authorities.
As humanitarian aid continues to be restricted from entering the country, famine is looming. After the attack, World Central Kitchen suspended its operations in Gaza.
“Food is a universal human right,” Andres said. “Feeding each other, cooking and eating together is what makes us human.”
“Food should never be a weapon of war. Humanitarian workers should never be targeted.”
The Biden administration has been urging Israel in recent months to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. It is also trying to broker a ceasefire for at least six weeks that would allow the hostages to be released and Palestinians to return home.
However, Mr. Biden, who is running for re-election, remains firmly in support of Israel.
His government has provided military, political and diplomatic support to Israel during the war, now in its seventh month, even as the death toll continues to rise.
Updated: April 25, 2024, 6:24 p.m.
