Harm Goossens, director of the Red Cross and campaign chairman of Giro555, does not want polarization to undermine the aid campaign for victims of the conflict in the Middle East.
He said this on Sunday evening to Nieuwsuur. He states that the discussion about the conflict, especially on social media, is dominated by the outer sides.
Goossens disputes the accusations that the proceeds go to the warring parties. "It is absolutely not true that the money goes to Israel, Hamas or Hezbollah. We help all people in need. Discussion about the situation is absolutely good, that is also an issue for us. We want to move the discussion away from the conflict, because in the end it is about all those people in need."
Goossens does not want donors to be able to choose where their money goes. "We are a humanitarian aid organization. Our principle will always be that we are there for everyone. We are there for everyone, wherever they are, and we will help them."
Wednesday there is a day of action on radio and TV for Giro 555. So far more than 1.1 million euros have been raised. The money is intended for emergency aid in Lebanon, Gaza, the West Bank, Israel and Syria.
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