CAFOD partner in Khan Younis supports people with cash so they can buy mattresses and bedding
By Sarah Balwin
Ahead of the potential vote in Parliament on the motion calling for a ceasefire in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Neil Thorns, Director of Advocacy at CAFOD said:
“How have we got to this point? For six weeks we have seen bloodshed upon bloodshed – over 12,000 Israeli and Palestinian civilians have been killed, including several staff from our partner organisations and their families. Politicians from every political party must call for a ceasefire, now – not next week, or next month.
A humanitarian pause does not go far enough. Only a ceasefire can put an end to the killing of civilians, ensure hostages are freed and allow enough aid to meet the huge humanitarian need. Our partners have told us of the unspeakable realities of coping without enough fuel, electricity, water or food.
We cannot sit by and watch as this humanitarian catastrophe unfolds before our eyes. As Pope Francis says, “war is always a defeat”.
LINKS
Donate to CAFOD’s Israeli-Palestinian Crisis Appeal Write to the UK Foreign Secretary: HERE
Hundreds of thousands of people – of all faiths and none – took to the streets of London on Saturday to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
The ‘National March for Palestine’ was the latest in a series of rallies in the capital to appeal for peace since Israel launched an air and ground offensive on Gaza following Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on 7 October. 1,200 people were killed that day and more than 240 people were taken hostage. Israel’s revenge attacks and relentless bombardment have killed more than 11,000 people in 34 days, including over 4,500 children. Water, electricity, food and medical supplies have been stopped. A million people, including hospital patients have been forced to leave north Gaza on foot. Aid agencies warn the death toll will rise as starvation and disease set in.
The head of the World Health Organization told the United Nations Security Council on Friday that Israel’s bombing and siege are already killing one child on average every 10 minutes in Gaza.
Campaigners in Saturday’s march walked peacefully from Hyde Park to the US Embassy across the river Thames in Nine Elms, chanting phrases like “Ceasefire Now”, “In our millions, in our millions we are all Palestinians” and “Free Free Palestine.”
Marching alongside trade unionists, individuals, Buddhist monks, Muslim and Jewish campaigners – often families with children and toddlers in pushchairs – were Catholic, Anglican and Methodist clergy, representatives from Pax Christi, Romero Trust, CAFOD, United Reform Church, Quakers, Methodists, Lutherans and other churches.
One sign read: ‘You can’t build a Holy Land on the mass graves of children’.
Rev Rachel Summers a trainee Anglican priest said: “21 years ago I went to visit Gaza. When I came back I was saying to everyone I met – How are people managing to keep their humanity? These are intolerable conditions. How are people surviving? Peace isn’t an airy fairy idea where people sit around doing nothing. Peace is something that takes strength and courage, and that seems to be what I’m hearing here.”
One Pax Christi placard quoted Pope Francis: “And we ask peace for this world subjected to arms dealers, who profit from the good of men and women.”
A Catholic priest told ICN: “Several of my parishioners are here. We all felt it’s the least we can do. A tragedy is unfolding in the Holy Land. What is happening there is nothing less than ethnic cleansing – another Nakba. I hope and pray it can be stopped.”
London authorities estimate that around 300,000 people took part in the march. Organizers said turnout was as high as one million.
The march went ahead despite criticism from Home Secretary Suella Braverman who described the demonstrations as “hate marches” and suggested earlier in the week that the protest should have been banned by London police given that it coincided with Armistice Day.
British Army veteran and march participant Nadia Mitchell wrote for OpenDemocracy: “Personally, I cannot think of a more appropriate day to demand a ceasefire than on the day we remember the mother of all ceasefires, to remember and honour those who sacrificed their lives in pursuit of peace and an end to war.”
Addressing the rally, actress Maxine Peake said: ” This is not a hate march. This is a cry for love, this is a cry for peace, this is a cry for ceasefire”.
The police said no major incidents took place on the peace march – which had been carefully routed to take place more than a mile away from the Cenotaph where the Remembrance Day ceremony was held, and not begin until more than an hour after it had finished. Hundreds of volunteer stewards ensured people didn’t stray from the designated route.
In stark contrast there were major clashes in Whitehall when a small group of rowdy men, led by the far-right figure Tommy Robinson, attacked police by the Cenotaph while the Remembrance service was taking place.
Matt Twist, assistant commissioner at the Met, says 126 people have been arrested so far. He said when they were stopped and searched, weapons including a knife, a baton and knuckleduster and class A drugs were found. “Thanks to the considerable efforts of our officers, who put themselves in harm’s way, nobody was able to reach the Cenotaph, which was protected at all times,” he said.
Twist added that nine police officers had been injured with two requiring hospital treatment. Clashes with the group also took place in other parts of the city, including Chinatown and near the Houses of Parliament.
The march was organised by Stop the War, Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and other peace groups.
National March for Palestine – Ceasefire Now Saturday 11 November, 12 noon – 4pm, Hyde Park, London
Pax Christi and other Christians will be joining the national ‘March for Palestine’ in London this Saturday, 11th November, to add our voice to demands for a ceasefire in Gaza and a just peace between Israel and Palestine.
Meeting at 11.30am at the Animals in War Memorial which is at Brook Gate, Hyde Park, Park Lane.
Given that things may change, please let Pax Christi know if you are planning to attend and want to join them. Check their website, Facebook Page and Twitter/X feed for updates. Pax Christi
Bishop Declan Lang, Chair of the Bishops’ Conference’s International Affairs department, and Bishop Nicholas Hudson, Chair of the Holy Land Co-ordination have released a statement on the ongoing Israel/Hamas war:
“To our brothers and sisters across the Holy Land, particularly those sheltering in the Parish of the Holy Family in Gaza along with those in the West Bank, we remain close to you and in constant prayer for you at this most difficult, terrifying, and testing of times. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you always.
“To our own government, we urge you to continue your diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire, the immediate release of all hostages and the facilitation of humanitarian aid so that desperately needed food, water, fuel, and medical supplies can be safely delivered into Gaza. We will continue to add our voice to the impassioned chorus calling for justice, peace, and the cessation of the suffering that has descended upon the Holy Land.
“To the Catholic Community here in England and Wales, please join us in prayer for those in the Holy Land, particularly for those who have been taken hostage, those who have been killed, those who have been injured, and their families.
“We also pray for those who are wearied by the conflict to receive strength, and those in positions of power and authority receive the wisdom to guide them into ways of peace and justice.”
Bishop Declan Lang Chair, Department for International Affairs
Bishop Nicholas Hudson Chair, Holy Land Co-ordination
Holy Land Co-ordination
Since 1998, the Department for International Affairs has organised the annual meeting of the Co-ordination of Episcopal Conferences in Support of the Church of the Holy Land. It’s a pilgrimage of prayer and persuasion by bishops from around the world. The delegation stands in solidarity with the Christians of the Holy Land.
Related
Cardinal Pizzaballa: Unite our feelings with those of Jesus at this tragic moment for the Holy Land
On 24 October, after weeks of conflict and violence in the Holy Land, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem addressed a letter to the faithful under his jurisdiction. Read More
Cardinal calls for sustained prayers for peace
on 13 October, Cardinal Nichols urged the faithful to pray for peace as the conflict escalated. Read More
More than 8,000 people, including over 3,000 children, have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched their relentless bombing campaign in response to the brutal attack by Hamas inside Israel, which claimed the lives of around 1,400 people on 7 October.
This morning Cardinal Vincent Nicholas issued a new call for prayers and appealed for a ceasefire. He also warned against the avoidance of any “hateful language” as the crisis affects communities here.
The Cardinal told ICN: “Weeks into the terrible conflict in Israel and Gaza, I urge Catholics to sustain their prayers for peace. I echo Pope Francis’ appeal for a ceasefire, as a hope not to be abandoned, as an end to all violence in Israel and Palestine.
“The horrific atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel warrant every condemnation. We continue to hold in our prayers those who were killed, the injured, those held hostage, their families and communities.
“The situation facing the millions of civilians in Gaza also calls for effective humanitarian relief. We pray too for those killed, injured and displaced there.
“At home I appeal for restraint and the total avoidance of hateful language and action, as the impact of this conflict is felt in communities here.”
“Lord, come to our aid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts and give us the courage to say: “Never again war!”
As the death toll in Gaza, from Israel’s ongoing bombardment, has reached over 5,000, including more than 2,000 children – with more than half the population have been displaced from their homes and a dramatic increase in evictions and killings of Palestinians in the West Bank – the Network of Christian Peace Organisations has written to Foreign Secretary James Cleverly MP condemning the attacks by Hamas on civilians in Israel but urging the UK government to use its influence to de-escalate the violence.
They write:
Dear Foreign Secretary,
We write to you in response to the outbreak of violence in Israel and Palestine. We urge the UK Government to use its influence to help create space for de-escalation and meaningful dialogue in the coming days and weeks, to urgently avert a deepening humanitarian crisis and military conflict that could cost many more lives than have already been tragically lost.
Indiscriminate attacks on civilians violate international humanitarian law. We condemn the Hamas attacks on civilians and the taking of civilian hostages. We also condemn the response of the Israeli Government in bombing of Gaza and targeting of the civilian population. The increased restrictions and complete cutting off of water, electricity, food and fuel constitute collective punishment and will create an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exceeding that which already exists as a result of the 16-year blockade.
We are deeply saddened by the continued violence in the region and urge you work for dialogue and de-escalation. We ask you to support measures for the immediate protection of civilians including a ceasefire, adherence by all parties to international law, and the UN’s call for humanitarian corridors.
Long held concerns about land, peace and security have not been prioritised by the international community. The only way to break the cycle of violence and build a lasting peace is to end the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and the blockade of Gaza and create conditions of justice, equality and peace for all Israelis and Palestinians.
As people of faith, we stand against the Islamophobia and antisemitism many individuals in this country may face as a result of violence in the Middle East. We will do what we can to de-escalate these tensions.
We ask you to avoid supporting polarised arguments and apportioning blame. We ask you to support measures that do not rely on military security but instead build a lasting peace based on justice and equality for all.
Yours sincerely
Ann Farr, Chair, Pax Christi England and Wales
Sue Claydon, Chair, Anglican Pacifist Fellowship
Rev Dr Barbara Glasson, President Methodist Peace Fellowship
The knights and dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem will be celebrating a special Mass in honour of The Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Palestine, and All the Holy Land, this Thursday, at the Church of Our Lady of Victories in Kensington.
All are invited to attend this special Mass for peace and justice for all people of the Holy Land on Thursday October 19th at 6.30pm at the Church of Our Lady of Victories, 235a Kensington High Street London W8 6SA.
The Order has a special mandate to support the work of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Christians in his care. For more information see: www.eohsj.org.uk for more information.
Many of us will have been shocked and deeply saddened by the news over the weekend of the terrible loss of life, injury and destruction in Israel and Gaza – suffering which is continuing and, without a ceasefire, will only increase.
On Saturday, His Eminence the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, called for prayer and sent a message to all priests of the Latin Patriarchate asking them and all believers to ‘offer Sunday Mass for the intention of ceasefire and an end to the ongoing war in the Holy Land, asking the Lord to prevent further bloodshed, shattering of lives and burial of hopes.’
Speaking after the Angelus prayer in Rome yesterday, Pope Francis pleaded for an end to the attacks and repeated what he has said before, ‘War is always a defeat!. Every war is a defeat!’. He reminded us all that ‘terrorism and war do not lead to any solution, but only to the death and suffering of so many innocent people.”
Preaching in London, Cardinal Vincent Nichols said ‘Violence is never a solution. Retribution is never a contribution to peace ‘and urged our prayers for all who have lost their lives and for the immediate release of those taken hostage.’
As we watch the situation develop, please respond with us to these calls for prayer. Please pray for peace and an end to the violence. As the Latin Patriarch urged, pray with Pope Francis:
“Lord, come to our aid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts and give us the courage to say: “Never again war!”
Join us for this conversation between Sarah Agha, co-presenter of the acclaimed BBC2 series with Dr Harry Hagopian, ecumenical consultant, international lawyer & analyst on the MENA & Gulf regions.
This event, moderated by Mgr James Curry, is inspired by the recently-acclaimed BBC2 documentary featuring Sarah Agha and Rob Rinder.
We hope to gain some insight into the Palestinian al-Nakba or the Great Catastrophe – the name given to the dramatic and multi-layered impact upon Palestinians following the creation of the State of Israel in 1948.
Where? Our Lady of Victories in the Parish Centre, 235a Kensington High Street, W8
When? Tuesday, May 30th, 7-8.30pm
All welcome. Admission is free, no ticket needed .We do ask you to register on Eventbrite if possible : simply to help us keep a tab on numbers. Refreshments will follow the conversation
Nakba 75: National March, London – Saturday 13th May 2023
Catholic peace organisation, Pax Christi, will be among many other groups joining the national march organised by Palestine Solidarity Campaign in London this coming Saturday to mark the 75th anniversary of the ongoing Nakba.
The assembly point is the BBC, Portland Place W1A from 12pm. Let them know on info@paxchristi.org.uk if you are coming along or look out for the Pax Christi banners on the day.
Diocese of Westminster Justice and Peace Commission 