The death toll has climbed to above 58,000 (Ha’aretz and JPost report it is as high as 70,000). Whatever the exact number, there is no question that this is a huge tragedy.
However, out of such a tragedy comes the potential for humanity’s shining hour, with people from all around the globe reaching into their pockets to give money, and countries and organizations volunteering humanitarian assistance. (Here are some agencies accepting donations for assistance).
I can’t help but feel sick when I view these videos, and see people swept away into the ocean. I realize that these people, who moments earlier seemed calm and relaxed, may have very well died in horrible circumstances. And their final moments may have been caught on camera for all to see.
Update: Can you believe this? (hat tip: Israpundit)
The Vatican newspaper has denounced what it called a decision by the IDF to deny emergency help to disaster victims in Sri Lanka.Calling for “a radical and dramatic change of perspective” among people “too often preoccupied with making war,” L’Osservatore Romano singled out Israeli military leaders for declining a request for emergency medical help.Contrary to the Vatican report, an Israeli plane carrying 80 tons of food and medical supplies worth $100,000 was set to depart for Sri Lanka Wednesday morning. At the request of the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry, a team of some 150 Israeli medical and security personnel aborted their planned trip to the island nation Tuesday night.The Vatican paper observed that in what “should be a time for unconditional solidarity,” some world leaders seem incapable of escaping a “small-minded approach that restricts their horizons.”The fact that the devastation swept across different societies, cultures, and nations should help to reinforce the universal perspective, the paper suggested.
It is bad enough that Sri Lanka refused Israel’s offer to send emergency personnel. Now the Vatican, which sees itself as the purveyor of morality throughout the world, denounces a country which was one among the first to offer its selfless support.
Shame on the Vatican.
<rant> Pray tell, how many innocent people throughout history have died at the hands of the Vatican? Talk about being “preoccupied with war.”</rant>
Apologies to any of my Catholic readers whom I have offended but I won’t take back my words. The Vatican’s criticism of Israel (not to mention its position on the Middle East conflict) is utterly disgraceful.
Update: Honest Reporting argues that Israeli benevolence toward other peoples is not fairly conveyed to the western world. They are 100% right.
