World Central Kitchen (WCK) founder chef José Andrés is at the conceptual centre of last weekend’s killing of 7 WCK volunteers in Gaza. And he asserted, in the New York Times this week, that, “food is not a weapon of war,” but, “a universal human right.”
A WCK community kitchen in Gaza: “The best of humanity shows up.”
Andrés contributed a poignant Opinion piece to the April 3 edition of the Times, titles, simply, ‘Let People Eat’.
Sounds like one of society’s most basic tenets. But it’s proven a difficult principle to uphold in war-ravaged Gaza. Andrés and his WCK volunteeers are authorities on the subject. They’re caught in the middle of the mess.
WCK has, in fact, suspended operations in Gaza pending resolution of the situation which led to the killing of 7 WCK voluntreers in a targeted Israeli air force attack on Monday, April 1. But not before having served more than 43 million meals to 2.3 million starving Gazans – the whole population of the region – over the past few months.
‘The best show up’
“In the worst conditions you can imagine — after hurricanes, earthquakes, bombs and gunfire — the best of humanity shows up. Not once or twice but always,” Andrés begins.
“The seven people killed on a World Central Kitchen mission in Gaza on Monday were the best of humanity. They are not faceless or nameless. They are not generic aid workers or collateral damage in war.”
‘Their work was based on the simple belief that food is a universal human right. It is not conditional on being good or bad, rich or poor, left or right. We do not ask what religion you belong to. We just ask how many meals you need.”
‘Food is not a weapon of war’
“We know Israelis. Israelis, in their heart of hearts, know that food is not a weapon of war,” Andrés says.
“Israel is better than the way this war is being waged. It is better than blocking food and medicine to civilians. It is better than killing aid workers who had coordinated their movements with the Israel Defense Forces.”
‘The best of Israel must show up’
“In the worst conditions, after the worst terrorist attack in its history, it’s time for the best of Israel to show up. You cannot save the hostages by bombing every building in Gaza. You cannot win this war by starving an entire population.
“We welcome the government’s promise of an investigation into how and why members of our World Central Kitchen family were killed. That investigation needs to start at the top, not just the bottom.”
‘A culture of shared values’
“The peoples of the Mediterranean and Middle East, regardless of ethnicity and religion, share a culture that values food as a powerful statement of humanity and hospitality — of our shared hope for a better tomorrow.
“There’s a reason, at this special time of year, Christians make Easter eggs, Muslims eat an egg at iftar dinners and an egg sits on the Seder plate. This symbol of life and hope reborn in spring extends across religions and cultures.”
‘Not a sign of weakness’
“It is not a sign of weakness to feed strangers; it is a sign of strength. The people of Israel need to remember, at this darkest hour, what strength truly looks like.”
“The Israeli government needs to open more land routes for food and medicine today. It needs to stop killing civilians and aid workers today. It needs to start the long journey to peace today.”
My take
What an eloquent, powerful statement in support of humanity’s basic right to food! From the man who had the vision and the strength to create World Central Kitchen in the first place.
The stand that food is a universal human right is not just a fundamental moral and ethical principle. It’s been the foundation stone of José Andrés’ personal commitment to feed the hungry. And his volunteers are all disciples.
~ Maggie J.