We Can Never Say: ‘We Knew Nothing About That’

By Tony Magliano – During World War II, historical accounts vary as to how much German citizens knew about Nazi subhuman prisoner work and extermination camps. The evidence seems to reveal that some Germans had a clear understanding of the horrors that were happening, while others knew very little.

According to Wikipedia, after the war a common German response to the Holocaust – the mass execution of Jews – and the execution of other groups of human beings including Soviet prisoners of war, was often expressed with the German phrase “Davon habenwirnichtsgewusst,” that is, “We knew nothing about that.”

While it may be true that some World War II era Germans could honestly say, “We knew nothing about that,” it is absolutely impossible for us today to honestly say, “We know nothing about that” regarding the U.S.-supported Israeli ongoing bombings and starvation deaths of innocent Gazans, including more than 18,000 children!

We know about the bombings. We know about the starvation. We know about the genocide.

As reported in The Guardian, Doctors Without Borders, Oxfam International, Amnesty International, and 106 other agencies have signed onto a letter charging the Israeli government of blocking humanitarian organisations from effectively distributing life-saving aid.

“Just outside Gaza in warehouses – and even within Gaza itself – tons of food, clean water, medical supplies, shelter items and fuel sit untouched with humanitarian organisations blocked from accessing or delivering them,” the agencies wrote. “The government of Israel’s restrictions, delays, and fragmentation under its total siege have created chaos, starvation, and death.”

The statement quoted an aid worker in Gaza who said: “Children tell their parents they want to go to heaven, because at least heaven has food”.

As recently reported by Vatican News, in the wake of confirmed reports revealing to the world images of skeletal children filling hospital wards in Gaza for months while Israel has kept food shipments far below starvation rations causing the death, particularly of the most vulnerable to rise rapidly, the Pope Leo XIV said, “I am following with deep concern the extremely grave humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the civilian population is being crushed by hunger and continues to be exposed to violence and death.”

So, at this late hour, the question remains: What are you and I going to do to help stop the bombings, the starvation, the genocide?

As people of faith in the loving Lord Jesus, the Prince of Peace, we need to consistently pray for an end to the war, hunger, and starvation in Gaza. It would be most appropriate for prayers reflecting these needs to be included within the Prayer of the Faithful during every Mass. And it is important for clergy to preach on the gravity of this crisis, encouraging our sacrificial response.

At least one special collection could, and should, be taken up during Mass for the immediate needs of our suffering Gazan brothers and sisters.

We cannot morally ignore this genocide happening in real time before our very eyes. We cannot honestly say, “We knew nothing about that.”

Tony Magliano is an internationally syndicated Catholic social justice and peace columnist. He is available to speak at diocesan or parish gatherings. Tony can be reached at .