Jason Jones (@BabylonRESET) / X (Left), St. Porphyrios Church in Gaza City by Anas-Mohammed / Shutterstock.com (Right)
CV NEWS FEED // Jason Jones, founder of the Vulnerable People Project, whose stated mission is “to defend the vulnerable from violence by promoting human dignity and inspiring solidarity,” told CatholicVote that the Christians and general civilian population in northern Gaza are facing starvation, as humanitarian aid has been cut off or greatly hindered by the Israeli army, and the city of Gaza remains under total siege.
In an exclusive interview with CatholicVote, Jones said that the Vulnerable People Project, which is often able to bring needed humanitarian aid to both sides of a conflict in a war-torn area, cannot presently provide any aid to Christians and civilians in northern Gaza because the local Palestinian liaison for aid was killed by Israeli soldiers.
With humanitarian aid now cut off from many sources seeking entry into northern Gaza due to Israeli blockades and hostilities, and with the city of Gaza completely surrounded, Palestinian residents, including Christians, now face the prospect of starvation as winter approaches and food supplies run low.
Jones said that as things now stand, “no one can get out” of northern Gaza, and “no aid can get in.” Given the restrictions in northern Gaza, Jones said he was refocusing aid to Christians and civilians in southern Gaza and Lebanon.
He also revealed that if hostilities continue, there will soon be no Christians left residing in historic Christian locations in the Holy Land, such as Bethlehem. He said the Christian world may soon face the sad reality that Christmas will not be celebrated “where the first Christmas took place.”
Asked if the devastation in Gaza that he had personally witnessed was a genocide against the Palestinian people, Jones confirmed that the Israeli army was perpetrating mass scale “indiscriminate killing” that took no account of women, children, or civilians, in a ratio of one to 10 compared with Israeli casualties.
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While acknowledging atrocities committed by Hamas, he drew attention to reported stories of Israeli snipers shooting women inside Catholic churches in Gaza, and statements by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem pleading for peace and an end to all hostilities.
Emphasizing that the Vulnerable People Project helps anyone in need, “regardless of race or religion,” Jones said his efforts were a way of living Christ’s injunction to “love our neighbor,” especially the least and most needy.
Acknowledging that his position was politically unpopular and would be called “antisemitic,” Jones said nonetheless Christians must “love their Palestinian brothers and sisters.” He said he would continue to seek to bring aid to all in need on both sides of the Israel-Gaza war.
