Day 12: War in the Middle East
Five hundred of people are feared dead after an explosion at a hospital in Gaza City. Hamas says it was caused by an Israeli air strike, Israel says it was caused by rockets fired by Palestinian Islamic Jihad. US President Joe Biden is visiting Iarael but a meeting with Arab leaders in Jordan has been cancelled. |One million people have moved from the north of Gaza to the south but the Rafah crossing to Egypt remains closed. Supplies of food, water, fuel, and electricity have been stopped with the country surviving on nothing as of last night.
Hundreds reported dead at the Episcopalian Al Ahli hospital in Gaza
An explosion at the Al Ahli Arab Hospital, which is run by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, has reportedly killed 500 Palestinians who were sheltering in the courtyard. First reports suggested it was caused by an Israeli air strike, but Israel has denied this, blaming a mis-firing rocket from Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The Episcopalian News Servicev explains that the hospital was founded by the Church Mission Society in 1882, run as a medical mission by the Southern Baptist Conference from 1954 to 1982, and then returned to the Anglican Church.
Archbishop, Rabbi and Imam call for faith unity in the face of war
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby; the Senior Rabbi of Masorti Judaism UK, Jonathan Wittenberg ; and Imam Ibrahim Mogra, a scholar and imam from Leicester, stood together at Lambeth Palace yesterday to call for unity between British faith communities in the face of war in the Middle East. Speaking together outside Lambeth Palace on Tuesday morning, they said they stood against any form of hatred or violence against Jewish people or any other community, as reports came in of a 500 per cent rise in antisemitic crimes since the war broke out. All three leaders know each other well and have worked alongside each other in the past. They said they had found a lot of comfort from friendships built over years and will protect those relationships. Justin Welby said: “We cannot allow the seeds of hatred and prejudice to be sown afresh in our communities. And at this time especially, we cannot allow the cancer of antisemitism to spread in our nation. I pray that we remain united against all forms of discrimination, and for our Jewish neighbours and all our communities to know that they are an essential part of our country.” Church Times report here >>
Community Security Trust reports 500 per cent rise in antisemitic attacks
The Community Security Trust has issued a statement saying it has recorded at least 320 antisemitic attacks across the UK since the Hamas attacks, compared to 47 over the same period last year, a rise of 500 per cent. These include comments on social media and random verbal attacks on the streets, graffiti, threats to life and physical attacks. They are “laced with the language and symbols of pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel politics.”
British girl confirmed dead after Hamas attacks
A 13-year-old British girl, named only as Yahel, has been confirmed dead after the Hamas attacks in southern Israel. Her mother, who was born in Bristol, was killed, Her father, Eli, is missing and her 16-year-old sister Noiva, is missing, feared kidnapped. News of Yahel’s death has been announced by her British family.
The Pope’s phone call to the Catholic church in Gaza gave them courage and support
Vatican News reveals a phone call between the Pope and the Catholic sisters and priest at the Catholic church in Gaza City offering support. Sister Nabila Saleh of the Rosary Sisters of Jerusalem, revealed that he had assured them they were in his prayers and that he knew the suffering they were enduring and he wanted to know how many people were sheltering there. She said the call was a great blessing which gave them courage and support. The church is offering two masses a day and prayers with children and their families. Sister Nabileh said they just want justice and peace, with an end to the war.
Other news
Stonehenge altar stone probably from north of Britain
Researchers at Aberystwyth University believe the largest altar stone at the heart of Stonehenge may be from the north of the UK, not Wales as has always been imagined.The Altar Stone was believed to be from old red sandstone in south Wales – near the Preseli hills, in Pembrokeshire, where most of Stonehenge’s bluestones come from. But researchers found the Altar Stone’s composition could not be matched with these locations. BBC story here
CofE safeguarding standards published
The Church of England has published a set of National Safeguarding Standards, for the national and local churches to follow. They cover leadership, prevention, managing risk, care for victims and learning and support. The standards will be used to judge the independent audits of dioceses and cathedrals, to begin in 2024. The CofE says it is not expected that every Church body will be able to meet every indicator immediately
