Day 13: War in the Middle East
Prime minister Rishi Sunak arrives in the Middle East today for a two day visit and will meet Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu this morning. This follows the visit by President Biden who also met Netanyahu and backed Israel’s denial of involvement in the explosion at the Al Ahli hospital in Gaza City which killed 500 people. Egypt has agreed to open up the Rafah crossing to allow up to 20 trucks of aid into Gaza, though this may not happen until Friday. Since the Hamas attack on Israel, 1,400 Israelis and 3,500 Palestinians have been killed.
King speaks of vital need for religious tolerance and understanding
King Charles has said there is a vital need for mutual understanding among religions in times of international turmoil and “heartbreaking loss of life”. He was speaking in a “state of the nation” speech at Mansion House in the City of London. He said: “One of my first acts as sovereign, a little over a year ago, was to open the doors of Buckingham Palace to the leaders of the major faiths represented across these islands; to welcome them, with respect and indeed love, and to re-dedicate my life to protecting the space for faith itself within our shores”. He said Britain could draw upon deep wells of civility and tolerance, politeness and respect.
Pope Francis appeals for a ceasefire saying “war erases the future”
Speaking at his weekly General Audience in Rome, Pope Francis implored both sides waging war in the Middle East to lay down their weapons and “heed the cries for peace from the poor, the people, and the innocent children”, He warned of the possibility of the war’s expansion saying: “War solves no problems. It only sows death and destruction, increases hatred, multiplies revenge. War erases the future, it erases the future.” He appealed that “everything possible be done to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe.”
Episcopal church condemns “atrocious attack” on Gaza hospital
The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem has condemned “in the strongest terms”, the “atrocious attack” on the Al Ahli hospital in Gaza, which killed a reported 500 people. In a statement, it said the loss of lives was a crime against humanity. “The devastation and the sacrilegious targeting of the church strikes at the core of human decency”. It announced a day of mourning for staff. Israel has vehemently denied it was their bomb, blaming an Islamist Jihad group instead.
Survey launched to gauge impact of war on British Muslim voting intentions
‘The Muslim Census team is collaborating with MEND, IFG and Deen Developers to create a survey showing how the British government’s reaction to the war in the Middle East is affecting voting intentions at the forthcoming election. It says the Muslim community needs to find the means to voice their collective thoughts and enact change. It will create a “heat map of the UK” showing the constituencies and MPs at risk from any change in voting intention.
Sisters of the Rosary stay put in Gaza City
The Sisters of the Rosary in a convent next to the Catholic church in Gaza city, have vowed to remain despite the order for people in northern Gaza to flee south. Speaking to Aid to the Church in Need, Sister Nabila said: “We will not go. People have nothing, not the basic things. Where should we go? To die on the street? We have old people, the Mother Teresa’s Sisters are also here, with people with multiple disabilities and elderly people…We need medicines. Many hospitals are destroyed. Where should we go?” The parish is sheltering around 150 Catholics and 350 Greek Orthodox Christians, whose parish church is near to the Holy Family.
CAFOD launches appeal for aid as soon as it is allowed into Gaza
The Catholic aid agency, CAFOD, has launched an Israel / Palestine appeal following the escalation of violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Funds will go towards aid as soon as access is available, to support the work of local organisations. CAFOD’s local partner, Caritas Jerusalem, has a number of staff in Gaza . Most have fled their homes and are sheltering elsewhere. CAFOD has asked supporters to write to the Foreign Secretary, urging that the UK plays its part in upholding international law, ensuring humanitarian aid can reach people in need, and working with other world leaders to secure a lasting peace for the region.
Other news
Rotary volunteers for warm welcome campaign
Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland has joined the Warm Welcome Campaign as its Volunteering Partner for 2023/24. Rotary has 34,000 members in over 1,500 clubs who volunteer and they have pledged to help a project which provides warm spaces and friendship in the cold winter months. It works with community groups and churches to provide this service.
Orthodox priests complain about design of new ruble note
AFP reports that Russia’s central bank has halted the circulation of a new 1,000 ruble note after Orthodox priests complained that the image of a church dome lacked a cross – even though it does not have one in real life. The cross on the church in the mainly Muslim Tatarstan republic was removed after the 1917 revolution. The building now serves as a state museum.
