On Sunday, tensions between Jews and Muslims in Jerusalem reached a peak, with simultaneous religious rituals at a volatile shrine and Israeli warplanes and artillery striking targets in Syria in response to rare rocket fire. The IDF reported that six rockets had been launched from Syria, three of which were intercepted, and hundreds of Jews visited the Al-Aqsa compound under heavy police guard. Simultaneously, thousands of Jewish worshippers gathered at the Western Wall for a mass priestly benediction prayer service. The events have further heightened the tension between Israel and Syria, and between Jews and Muslims in Jerusalem.
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Pope Francis celebrated Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square, decorated with 38,000 flowers from the Netherlands, and was joined by prelates and thousands of worshippers. His message of hope and peace invoked prayers for the Ukrainian and Russian people, and called for Israelis and Palestinians to forge a “climate of trust”.
At least four people are believed to be trapped under the rubble of a building that collapsed following an explosion in Marseille, France, early Sunday morning. Rescue efforts are being hindered by a fire deep within the rubble, and more than 100 firefighters and rescue workers are on the scene. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation and the French government has promised to provide all necessary resources to aid in the rescue efforts.
On Easter Sunday, Pope Francis presided over Easter vigil Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, surrounded by a colorful array of spring flowers that had been delivered to the Vatican square the day before. The pope opened the celebration of Mass in St. Peter's Square, joined by dozens of prelates and tens of thousands of pilgrims and tourists. The pope is recuperating from bronchitis, but is expected to deliver a speech about conflicts in the world at the end of Holy Week.
Benjamin Ferencz, the last surviving prosecutor from the Nuremberg trials, has died aged 103. He was born in Transylvania, Romania in 1920 and served in the US Army during WWII. Ferencz was a tireless advocate for human rights and an important figure in the prosecution of Nazi war criminals, securing convictions against 22 Nazi death squad commanders and creating the International Criminal Court at The Hague. His legacy will live on through his commitment to justice and advocacy for human rights.
Tensions remain high in the Middle East after two Israeli sisters were shot dead in the West Bank and an Italian tourist was killed in a car-ramming attack in Tel Aviv. Israel responded with its biggest airstrikes on Lebanon in 17 years, and three rockets were launched from Syria towards Israeli territory, with one landing in a field in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. Fragments of another destroyed missile fell into Jordanian territory near the Syrian border. The recent violence has raised concerns of a possible escalation of tensions, with the Israeli military monitoring the situation and deploying additional forces.
Ben Ferencz, the last living prosecutor from the Nuremberg Trials, has passed away at the age of 99. He was a Chief Prosecutor for the United States Army during the trials and was responsible for prosecuting Nazi war criminals and documenting the atrocities of Nazi labor and concentration camps. Ferencz was a lifelong advocate for world peace and justice, and his legacy of justice and peace will continue to live on.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently sparked controversy with their statement that genetic material from Wuhan, China, should have been shared three years ago. Chinese health officials have accused the WHO of attempting to smear China and of politicizing COVID-19. The WHO has not yet responded, but has previously stated its commitment to working with China to find the source of the virus. International cooperation is essential to ensure that all relevant information is shared in a timely manner to prepare for future pandemics.