Day 7: War in the Middle East
UN says situation in Gaza is “dire”, with food, water and electricity running out, but Israel says it will not lift the blockade until hostages are released. The death toll in Gaza stands at 1500, with 200,000 people made homeless after air strikes. In Israel more graphic details have emerged of the atrocities committed by Hamas and the death toll is now 1300.
King Charles meets the Chief Rabbi expressing support for the Jewish community
The Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis has held talks with King Charles at Buckingham Palace to discuss the horrific Hamas attacks on Israel. The King is said to have offered his “deep concern and support” for the Jewish community. The Jewish Chronicle reports that it is understood there were discussions around initiatives to support interfaith harmony in Britain. The Chief Rabbi also held a meeting with Labour leader Keir Starmer, who said he had given Rabbi Mirvis “my unwavering support to the Jewish community in the UK and in the state of Israel.”
** extra briefing **
The Religion Media Centre is holding a briefing this morning (Friday 13 October) at 1030 am, with community leaders and those involved in interfaith work, to talk about the impact of the war in Israel and Gaza on communities in Britain. Get the link from: [email protected]
Aid agencies launch emergency appeal for Palestine
Many aid agencies have launched emergency appeals for humanitarian aid to Gaza, which faces a crisis with the electricity supply running out in three days, food and water in short supply and 200,000 people made homeless. Air strikes have killed 1,500 Palestinians and injured 6,200 and Israel says the blockade will remain until hostages are released. Islamic Relief is appealing for an immediate end to escalating violence and international aid to support rebuilding damaged infrastructure. Another appeal has been launched by the Anglican Alliance in Jerusalem for their al-Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza.
Son of elderly mother snatched by Hamas says “this is the second holocaust”
Jewish News reports a press conference in London, where two UK based Israelis appealed for the return of their elderly parents, who were kidnapped by Hamas and taken into Gaza. Noam Sagi, whose mother was taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz, said “This is a second Holocaust. They’ve been gassed, burned, butchered and slaughtered”. He added that some of those taken were holocaust survivors – one was on the Kindertransport. Sharon Livshitz, whose elderly parents were also taken, said what happened was “pure evil”.
Threats to Jewish population in Britain as PM pledges extra £3million for security
The Telegraph reports that two Jewish schools in north London are closing over safety concerns as antisemitic incidents in society rise threefold in a week. Torah Vodaas Primary in Edgware and Ateres Beis Yaakov Primary in Colindale, are closing til Monday, but it is not down to a specific threat. Protests are planned in London this weekend against Israel’s action in Gaza. The Prime Minister held a meeting in Downing Street yesterday with senior ministers, police and the security group CST to discuss how to protect Jewish communities, announcing an additional £3million for extra security for the Jewish population. Police have been advised of powers to ban protests intimidating Jewish communities and to treat the waving of Palestinian flags as potential hate crimes.
FA condemned for refusing to light Wembley stadium arch in Israeli flag colours
The Football Association has refused to light the Wembley arch in the blue and white colours of the Israeli flag at the England v Australia match this evening, a decision that has been condemned by Jewish organisations, the culture secretary Lucy Frazer and the government’s independent adviser on antisemitism, John Mann. The FA issued a statement saying England and Australia players would wear black armbands and that supporters would be prevented from bringing Israeli and Palestinian kits and flags into the stadium.
Multi faith forums issue statements of unity
Multi faith forums across Britain are publishing statements of unity and agreement among their members. Brent Multi Faith Forum’s statement acknowledges that many local people have lost family members and the cycle of abuse and violence must end or perpetuate more of the same. The Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester issued a statement saying “we cannot allow what is happening in the Middle East to affect our communities here in Greater Manchester.. It is essential that we all be able to live together harmoniously as fellow citizens of Greater Manchester. There is no incompatibility between that vital goal and the civil expression of one’s views about the conflict”.
Other news
Eleven CofE bishops break ranks over same sex blessing proposal
Premier’s Christianity magazine reports that eleven CofE bishops have issued a statement dissenting from a vote in the House of Bishops to go ahead with plans for prayers of blessing for same sex couples. It says there was deep disagreement in the House and they were unable to support the plan, “which we believe fail to safeguard the pastoral stability, mission and unity of the Church”. They make clear their view that synod should approve the measure and the bishops should have regard to good governance. The bishops signing were: Blackburn, Ebbsfleet, Guildford, Hereford, Islington, Lancaster, Oswestry, Rochester, Sheffield and Southwell & Nottingham.
“3 Generate” Methodist young people’s event creates leaders of the church
1300 children and young people attended the Methodist Church’s “3 Generate” event at the national exhibition centre in Birmingham, an attendance 25 per cent higher than the previous year. They took part in a range of activities including worship. The “Picnic in the park” worship was based on feeding the 5000, the Metal Methodist offered rock, while the Lego church was popular with 4 to 7 year olds. Jude Levermore, Head of Mission, said the festival produces church leaders of the future: “3Generate is life changing”.
Japan takes action to strip Unification Church of legal status
The government in Japan says it will ask a court to revoke the legal status of the Unification Church, known previously as The Moonies, after links with the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The Associated Press reports that the man accused of shooting Abe told police the church had bankrupted his family after his mother’s large donations and he was motivated by Abe’s links to the church. If its legal status is stripped, the church would lose its tax exemption privilege as a religious organization but can still operate.
