The news site of the Anglican Church Southern Queensland: nourishing and connecting our faith community

World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel

Wednesday March 29

"Palestinians in Gaza need the world to know what they are experiencing"

“Since 2007, the people of Gaza have had their land, sea and air illegally blockaded by Israel. The blockade constrains the movement of Palestinians outside of Gaza, impeding their access to basic necessities like healthcare. Additionally, unemployment sits at more than 40 percent, electricity is only available for about six hours per day, and 95 percent of the water is undrinkable,” says Nils von Kalm

“Our task is to safeguard the Word of God as a source of life”

“The conflict in Israel/Palestine is largely couched in a perceived tension between Muslims and Jews, with little attention given to the Palestinian Christian community who are equally suffering with their Muslim neighbours under the yoke of Israeli military rule,” says Nell Potter

"The boys lived amongst such destruction, but they had not lost their hope: a hope that things could be “normal”. For them that day, hope lay in being with friends, a lively conversation with a stranger and hopefully food to eat" (Helen Rainger)

“Each morning you must wake up and find your own hope”

“Daily life all over the world often revolves around work and food. Looking at the second photo, we see the work that this man does, growing strawberries for all to eat. Taken in Ramallah, this photo captured for me that element of life going on,” says Helen Rainger from the Diocese of Canberra-Goulburn

“My hope is in you” – youth in the Holy Land carry the future

It’s not easy being a youth leader in the Holy Land. “Our youth have a need to recognize God’s calling in their lives,” explained Nadine Bitar, general secretary of Christian Youth in Palestine, a group that supports youth leaders in the homeland of Jesus