Day 18: War in the Middle East:
Two Israeli elderly women hostages were released last night. Twenty aid trucks crossed Rafah into Gaza with medicine, food and water, but no fuel trucks have been allowed in. Rishi Sunak told MPs the hospital blast in Gaza was probably caused by a missile from Gaza. Israel showed journalists gruesome film of Hamas atrocities on 7 October. The death toll in Gaza has reached 5,000.
“Unprecedentedly high” number of antisemitic incidents reported since 7 October
The Community Security Trust, which protects British Jews, reports an “unprecedentedly high” number of antisemitic incidents since Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October. As of yesterday, CST recorded 600 cases including assaults, damage to Jewish property, threats, abusive behaviour, verbal and online abuse, which are often “laced with the language and symbols of pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel politics”. This is the highest number of incidents in a 17-day period in its history and is an increase of 641 per cent compared to the same period last year. Home Secretary Suella Braverman held a Jewish Community Crime, Policing and Security Taskforce meeting yesterday, to discuss measures to protect Jewish communities.
Antisemitism and Islamophobia rising in London
The Met police in London has recorded a rise in hate crime since 7 October which Met police chief Sir Mark Rowley said had caused anxiety and fear. Crimes against Muslims have risen threefold compared to the same period last year, and antisemitic attacks by 13 times in the same period. Following criticism of the way police interpreted public order offences during the pro-Palestine march last weekend, he said the police were ruthless in tackling people who crossed the line in hate crime. 34 people were arrested mainly for public order offences, but more guidance is called for over what constitutes an offence.
German Chancellor outraged at rise in antisemitism
The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has said he is “deeply outraged” by the rise in antisemitic incidents since the war in the Middle East broke out. Speaking at the opening of a new synagogue in Dessau, where the Nazis destroyed a synagogue 85 years ago, he said that attacks on Jewish institutions would never be accepted and the vow of “never again” must be unbreakable. Hatred displayed in Germany was shameful, he said.
Orthodox leader says killing of 18 in Gaza church must be met with peace
Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III, Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem, has spoken defiantly in pursuit of peace and justice, after 18 people were killed in a strike on the Orthodox church in Gaza. In an interview with the Vatican City statenewspaper,Osservatore Romano, he said the survivors of the “tragic bombing” were resilient, supporting each other and praying for healing in a response which “should serve as a beacon of hope”. He said: “In this diverse and often contentious land, we continue to promote peace, and coexistence”.
Other news:
Alpha founder is observer at global Anglican conference opposed to same sex blessings
The founder of Alpha, the Rev Nicky Gumbel, was mong ten named observers at a conference of bishops in Egypt to “re-set” the Anglican communion in favour of “Biblical principles”, and against the acceptance of same sex blessings. The event was organised by the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches, with 13 bishops and 10 observers, who also included Rev Canon John Dunnett, Director of the Church of England Evangelical Council; Rev Richard Moy, Sharing of Ministries Abroad, UK and Bishop Tim Davies, from the breakaway Anglican Mission in England. The Rev Nicky Gumbel was described as a representative of “Alliance” UK. In a closing statement the bishops pointed to the Church of England’s discussions around introducing same sex blessings and said they were “deeply concerned that if the Church of England presses ahead with the proposed changes, this will increase persecution of Christians in many parts of the Global South”. They affirmed an alternative structure of episcopal oversight for people who share their views, and pledged support for churches and “dislodged or discriminated against orthodox clergy in revisionist-leaning provinces”. They resolved to meet annually.
MPs take aim at “backward” CofE same sex proposals
MPs Ben Bradshaw and Peter Gibson have written to the CofE’s Second Church Estates Commissioner, Andrew Selous MP, urging him to express their disappointment at the proposals on same sex marriage which will come before the general synod in November. The proposals suggest prayers for same sex blessings should go ahead, but there is a delay on pastoral guidance which would enable same sex clergy to be married and those opposed, to remain in the church. In their letter the MPs say the proposals backtrack on previous promises and it is not acceptable to delay action already agreed: “Parliament expects the decisions already taken, promises made and the timetable previously outlined to be kept”.
Unite union calls for urgent review of faith workers’ long hours and low pay
A survey by the trade union Unite suggests that people working for faith groups regularly work long hours for low pay and a third of those surveyed plan to leave their jobs in the next two years. Highlights of the survey of nearly 1,000 faith workers, who are members of Unite, include: 23 per cent struggling to pay bills, 7 per cent missing meals and 21 per cent relying on friends and family for support. Unite is calling on religious organisations to increase pay and reduce workloads. Regional co-ordinating officer Sarah Cook said most faith workers are in effect receiving less than the minimum wage: “All religious groups need to take a long hard look at whether they are providing the right conditions and support for their workers. Talking about caring for the poor and needy is one thing, taking action when their own are in need is another”.
New leader for UK Pentecostal church organisation
The Apostolic Pastoral Congress, which represents Pentecostal bishops, priests, pastors and other clergy in Great Britain, has elected a new archbishop, two new bishops and seven pastors who were installed at an elaborate ceremony. The new primate is Bishop Moses Owusu-Sekyere, who has held several roles including with Churches Together in England and with the Word of Faith Mission, which has churches in the UK, USA and Ghana. Among the many new appointments, Bishop Mike Royal, currently the General Secretary of Churches Together in England, becomes the regional bishop for the Midlands and Bishop Philip Tagoe, the regional bishop for Greater London.
Digital mission to young people on the agenda of the Rome synod
The Catholic Herald reports a press conference at the Synod of Bishops in Rome, giving some indication of discussions so far, which have all been held in private and are due to end this weekend. Journalists were told that evangelisation of the digital world, a mission to young people, was a key topic, alongside the idea of “synodality”, where responsibility is shared between hierarchies, clergy and laity. Various speakers said there were differences of opinion on whether women could become deacons, but no decision was expected as the discussion was much broader than trying to answer yes or no. The synod will agree a document outlining the discussion and another gathering will be held in October next year at which decisions may be taken.
Canada recalls 41 diplomats from India in dispute over Sikh killing
Canada has recalled 41 of 62 diplomats in India after the Indian government said it would revoke their diplomatic immunity. The Associated Press reports that this is an escalation of the dispute after Canada said India was probably involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist in Canada, who was shot by masked gunmen in a drive by shooting – allegations India has denied.
