Hostage Crisis and International Approach: Dr. José Benjamín Pérez Matos Questions Global Response and Reaffirms Israel’s Role
From Puerto Rico, the leader of the Kingdom of Peace and Justice Center analyzed the humanitarian situation in the Middle East and criticized the international community’s approach.
Cayey, Puerto Rico – May 25, 2025
In an analysis focused on the hostage crisis and the development of the conflict in the Middle East, Dr. José Benjamín Pérez Matos addressed the situation the people of Israel are facing, placing emphasis on the humanitarian dimension and the way the conflict has been handled internationally.
During his remarks, the president of the Kingdom of Peace and Justice Center questioned the way part of the international community interprets events, pointing to a disconnection between the public’s narrative and the reality faced by victims. In this regard, he stated: “I speak like this so as not to cry; because in reality what the Hebrew people are going through is terrible! And what the news here is saying about them is like: ‘Oh, they should stop attacking over there!’ But they should release the hostages! Why don’t they say to Iran: ‘Talk to those people and tell them to release them?’”
Dr. José Benjamín Pérez Matos also called on international powers to direct their actions toward those who, in his view, have direct influence over the conflict. Along those lines, he stated: “Talk to Iran, talk to all those powers; let them go there and tell Hamas to release the hostages! Ah, but instead it’s ‘Israel is doing… they are abusers.’ But the lives of those people who are there, the torture they are enduring! You can’t even imagine!”
In his address, the Puerto Rican leader also discussed the severity of the conditions faced by those in captivity, pointing to the existence of extreme practices that, according to his description, aggravate the nature of the conflict. In that context, he declared: “The Hebrew people have to defend themselves; and they want to put an end to all that from the root,” emphasizing the need for a response to these situations.
Likewise, Dr. José Benjamín Pérez Matos reaffirmed his commitment to raising awareness on this issue in various international spaces, particularly in Latin America. In doing so, he stated: “I told them that I would stand hand in hand with them, and that wherever I go in Latin America I will be talking about all this that happened… so that they know and understand that without Israel there is no peace, as a nation; because that is where the Throne of David will be established.”
The conclusion of his remarks included a reference to the consequences that, in his view, may arise from the stance nations take regarding this conflict. In that framework, he stated: “Whoever messes with Israel knows that: ‘Whoever blesses you will be blessed, but whoever curses you will be cursed.’ And all those people are already cursed,” highlighting the centrality of the issue in international politics.
The analysis presented by Dr. José Benjamín Pérez Matos highlights the complexity of the conflict and the need to consider both its humanitarian dimension and the impact of global approaches on the evolution of the international landscape.
