Vigils for journalists killed in Gaza
At least 20 people, including five journalists, are reported to have been killed in an Israeli strike on a hospital in the southern Gaza Strip. The journalists worked with the Associated Press, Reuters, Al Jazeera and Middle East Eye. The NUJ is organising vigils online and in person, to commemorate all journalists killed in the Gaza conflict and to highlight the importance of press freedom. It says this is “solidarity action following the continued targeting of Palestinian journalists by Israeli forces”. The union is urging branch and chapel members to agree statements of solidarity, donate to a support fund, and organise vigils. It has announced there will be a vigil outside Downing Street tomorrow, Wednesday, and others in Belfast, Derry, Brussels, Dublin, Newcastle and Cardiff.
Catholic bishops condemn Israel’s expansion into the West Bank
Catholic bishops have condemned Israel’s plan to build 3,753 housing units in the West Bank, linking settlements and separating the West Bank from East Jerusalem. The Holy See has long advocated for Palestinian self-determination and a two-state Solution as the only viable option to bring security and peace to Israelis and Palestinians. Bishop Nicholas Hudson, chair of the International Affairs Department of the Catholic Bishops conference of England and Wales and Jim Curry, lead bishop for the Holy Land, have appealed for the international community to assert pressure to stop further settlement expansion and settler violence. Bishop Hudson said: “We condemn the decision of the Higher Planning Council that has given its final approval to thousands of new homes in the E1 area – a plan that Israel’s finance minister states will ‘bury the idea of a Palestinian state’ by splitting the West Bank in two. Such action, illegal under international law, denies the Palestinian people their right to self-determination as enshrined in Article 1 of the UN Charter”.
70 babies ‘buried at Salvation Army’ mothers and baby home in Newcastle
An ITV News investigation has discovered almost 70 babies are buried in mass unmarked graves after dying in an institution for unmarried mothers at Hopedene Maternity Home in Newcastle, between 1950 and 1973, a facility operated by the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army told ITV they acknowledged some people did not receive the support they needed, and they are deeply sorry, saying their focus was on keeping families together. ITV news interviewed the former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who urged the government should issue a formal apology for the UK’s historic forced adoption scandal. Between 1949 and 1976, it is estimated that around 250,000 unmarried mothers were sent to institutions, some run by churches, where many were pressured or forced to give up their babies for adoption.
Pope Leo welcomes Chagos islanders’ return after ‘grave injustice’
Pope Leo has praised the determination of the people of the Chagos Islands, who have fought to be able to return home after being forced to leave when the UK and US created the Diego Garcia military base there between 1967-1973. He described this as “a grave injustice”. This year, the UK signed a deal to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while maintaining a lease on the Diego Garcia military base for 99 years. Speaking to a delegation of the Chagos Refugees Group, the Pope praised their resilience and dedication in fighting for their homeland and encouraged them to “resolutely look toward the future.” He expressed his “wholehearted” encouragement for the group’s actions and said the treaty signified an important step on their journey home, expressing his gratitude to everyone who made it possible.
Corbyn tells Greenbelt it’s possible to criticise Israel without descending into antisemitism
The former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told an audience at the Greenbelt festival this weekend: “It’s perfectly possible to challenge what Israel does without descending into antisemitism. It’s not right to criticise people for their faith when you disagree with them politically.” The BBC reports that he also said that all places of worship should be fully protected and an attack on one faith was effectively attacking all faiths: “If somebody attacks a synagogue, they’re attacking a mosque and a church.”
Chair of Christians on the Left receives death threats
The chair of Christians on the Left, Anna Dixon, has received death threats and violent messages after a reported misleading video about her views on grooming gangs was published by the Conservative MP for Keighley and Ilkley, Robbie Moore. In a statement, she said it was irresponsible for any MP to put out misinformation that inflamed hatred and allowed misogyny. Her robust response made clear: “Group-based child sexual exploitation, committed by grooming gangs, is one of the most despicable and damaging crimes imaginable. I fully support all efforts by Government and West Yorkshire Police to bring perpetrators of these crimes to justice and the work of the local council to protect children and provide support for victims and survivors”.
Lord Carey regrets words after Nine O’Clock service Chris Brain’s abuse verdict
The former Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, has apologised to survivors of the Nine O’Clock service in Sheffield, for blaming them for the abuses they suffered from its priest, Chris Brain, who has been found guilty of sexual abuse. A Times article says he was “shocked” to read back a passage in his autobiography where he said that women abused by the Nine O’Clock service leader Chris Brain should accept some blame. The Times contacted Lord Carey, now aged 89, after Brain’s conviction. He said: “I regret using these words in 2003 and apologise for causing hurt to survivors. I wouldn’t write in this way now having learnt much in the intervening years. Even responsible and highly intelligent adults can become vulnerable to spiritual and emotional manipulation by appalling abusers like Chris Brain.”
