Pope Shenouda III, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St Mark, sharply criticized the Israeli massacres against the Palestinian people. "We all condemn the brutal attack on the Gaza Strip and particularly the ground operation. It is no honor to target helpless children and women as well as the elderly. In addition, the military code of ethics stipulates that military clashes should be between soldiers," he said during Christmas celebration. The ceremony, held inside the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo, witnessed the first appearance of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) Assistant Secretary General Gamal Mubarak since the start of the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip 12 days ago.
Gamal Mubarak is one of the most prominent participants in the ceremony each year. Egypt embraced the Palestinian Cause in 1948 and has been putting it on top of its agenda ever since, Shenouda said, adding: "We pray for an end to the occupation and the brutal aggression against the Palestinians."
In Orthodox churches, masses were only held in the morning with no celebrations in solidarity with Gaza victims. Pope Shenouda called for the money of the celebrations to be donated to Palestinian injured.
Christians across Egypt announced their solidarity with the Gaza Strip during their Christmas celebrations yesterday.
