Lebanon ‘on the brink of humanitarian catastrophe’
Lebanon — where Christians make up about one third of the population — is on the brink of humanitarian catastrophe, a charity has warned. Safa Hijazeen, Tearfund’s regional director for the Middle East, warned that Lebanon, “already on the verge of collapse”, was “heading towards a humanitarian catastrophe”. He added: “People in Lebanon are terrified and confused, waiting for death and destruction to arrive. Tens of thousands of children are missing school because it’s not safe to go out — instead, they’re learning to tell the difference between a sonic bomb or another type of missile overhead.” Israel launched a ground invasion of Lebanon against Hezbollah targets and infrastructure on Tuesday, calling it “limited, localised, and targeted ground raids”. Nearly 200 missiles were launched by Iran against Israel, including Jerusalem, last night. Church Times report here
Gunmen kill six in Tel Aviv on eve of Rosh Hashanah
Six people were murdered by terrorists in Jaffa to the south of Tel Aviv last night, the eve of the Rosh Hashanah new year celebration. At least 17 others were wounded, three of them seriously. Two attackers shouting “Allah Akbar” opened fire as they left a train at a light rail station in Jerusalem Boulevard and were soon shot dead by municipality inspectors and citizens using personal firearms, according to the police. Jerusalem Post report here
Impact of war on British Jews and Muslims ‘mirrors each other‘
One year on from Hamas’ attack on Israel, we brought together British Muslim and Jewish community leaders to find out how the war had impacted life in this country. Both communities have faced spikes in hate crime, leading to feelings across the board that Britain is not a safe place anymore. Social media was “absolutely bitter” and physical violence culminated in riots targeting mosques. Speakers in our media briefing were particularly concerned at the impact on children facing hatred at school, with swastikas painted on school desks, or Muslim children name called and ostracised. But both communities have found some hope in quiet acts of kindness from one faith group to another, stronger relationships of support and lighter moments of friendship. View the discussion on our YouTube channel here.
Extra cash to counter antisemitism in London says mayor
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has announced extra funding to break down lies about the Jewish community and to counter rising antisemitism in the capital. He told Jewish News it was “important we listen to experts on the ground” after the Community Security Trust — a charity that provides safety, security, and advice to the British Jewish community — warned about the possibility of “reprisals” against Jewish Londoners in response to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Sadiq Khan, a practising Muslim, also said he would be saying prayers over Rosh Hashanah, which starts tonight, for the families of those who still had members kidnapped by Hamas in Gaza. Factsheet on Rosh Hashanah here.
Christian campaigner attacks Badenoch’s maternity pay comments
A campaigner for Christian ideals of motherhood has condemned the call by Kemi Badenoch, a Conservative leadership candidate, to cut maternity pay in the UK. Rachel Waddilove, who founded the consultancy Rachel’s Babies, which includes the actress Gwyneth Paltrow among her clients, says: “God’s plan is for families to be together and to love and care for little ones.” Ms Badenoch came under fire for saying statutory maternity pay was “a function of tax” and working people funded it. Ms Waddilove added: “Mums need to have maternity pay, and good maternity pay, to be able to be at home with their babies. Governments need to be looking at how they can help mothers be at home with their babies until such a time when they want to go back to work. God’s plan is for there to be a family unit.” Premier Christian News story here
100th milestone in the faith journey of President Jimmy Carter
Greetings from across the world have been sent to former US President Jimmy Carter, who celebrated his 100th birthday yesterday. They included a message from the King, who is said to have expressed warm personal greetings and great admiration for Mr Carter’s lifetime of duty and public service. Jimmy Carter, a lifelong Baptist, the son of a Depression-era farmer, is the longest-living former president. His grandson Jason said his grandfather’s life had been “a faith journey” and the family marked the centenary at a service at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, where the former president once taught Sunday School. AP report here
Thousand-year-old biblical seed nurtured into 10ft tree
A seed found in a Judean cave has been confirmed as more than 1,000 years old and a survivor from now-extinct trees from the region that encompasses modern-day Israel, Palestine, and Jordan. Scientists initially thought the seed, which they call Sheba, might be an example of the “Balm of Judea”, a tree prized for its fragrance in ancient times. Now, however, they believe the tree could be one from which the Biblical “tsori” was extracted: a resin that was associated with healing in the books of Genesis, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. The seed was planted by a team in Israel and has grown into a tree now 10ft tall. Report here
Gilded icon stolen from Cambridge college
A gilded icon, Virgin and Child (Mother of the God of the Passion), has been stolen from a college chapel in Cambridge. The image of Mary and the infant Jesus with two archangels was created by Dom Anselm Shobrook, a monk of the Anglican Benedictine monastery at Alton in Hampshire and was donated to Magdalene Collage in 2009. It is valued at £5,000. BBC report here
Talent Network for Catholics with creative flair
Catholics who have a creative flair are invited to join a new talent agency which was launched at the London Jesuit Centre yesterday. The Catholic Talent Network wants to hear from musicians, playwrights, videographers and actors. Its founder Nana-Adwoa Mbeutcha said it would provide “a database of people who are available, who have honed their path and God has given them a gift. If we don’t allow them the space to use that gift, what are they going to do with it?” Tablet report here
