Ms. Vera Baboun: “I present this peace award to Gazan martyrs and Palestinians freemen” The International Award of “Mons. Pompeo Sarnelli” rewarded to Mayor of Bethlehem Public Relations and Media Department- “It is with great regret that today I receive an award for peace while my country is deteriorating from the lack of it. I regret for not being amongst you in Bisceglie to receive it myself because I had to be in my city and my country through this hard time where Gaza is brutally attacked and inhumanely bleeding”. With these words the mayor of Bethlehem, Ms. Vera Baboun began her speech over Skype during the ceremony of awarding her the International Peace Award of “Mons. Pompeo Sarnelli. This international award was given for Ms. Vera Baboun, Mayor of Bethlehem in recognition of her role in serving the city of Bethlehem, and supporting its youth. At the beginning, Ms. Baboun has expressed her thanks and gratitude for being selected for this honor that assures Bethlehem message; which is a declaration of Palestine’s need of a just peace, signalizing that she presents her award to the Gazan martyrs and Palestinian freemen. Then she indicated in her speech that the Israeli occupation attack on Gaza has lead to more than one thousand martyrs, and more than six thousand injured, while it has demolished over four thousands buildings, emphasizing that Palestine is paying a high price for the absence of peace. Hence, Ms. Baboun asked wondering: “Why up till this moment we cannot witness peace in the Holy Land in general?” and quoted from Lady Eleanor Roosevelt It isnt enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isnt enough to believe in it. One must work at it”. Adding that in order to achieve peace, we must work hard for it with human and political will. The award of “Mons. Pompeo Sarnelli” is an international reward inspired from the personality and work of Bishop Pompeo Sarnelli, Bishop of Bisceglie from 1692 to 1724. It is granted by the institution of “Mons. Pompeo Sarnelli”; a cultural institution presented by Mr. Francesco Massimiliano, and the municipality of Bisceglie presented by Mr. Francesco Sippina. In addition to mayor of Bethlehem, the 2014 award was granted to Giuseppe Cardinal Versaldi President of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, Bishop Stefano Sanchirico Prelate of antechamber of the Prefecture of the Papal Household, Don Tonio DellOlio resp. Sector International Free, Leonardo Leo De Castris Chief Prosecutor at the Court of the Republic of Foggia, January Leonardo Gallitelli general commander of the Carabinieri, Clara Minerva prefect of the province BAT, Gaetano Caputi former director of Consob., January Walter Manzon commander of the Guardia di Finanza right for the Puglia region, Francis Logoluso former Director of Creative Services at RCA Italian, Cesare Cavalieri journalist, writer and director editions Ares and Nicholas Night technical manager of ENEA. Ms. Vera Baboun has been contacted in the ceremony via Skype, while her secretary has received the award on her behalf.
Posted on: Mon, 28 Jul 2014 15:50:36 +0000