16 October, 2023
A statement on Israel and Gaza
From the Headteacher
We weep for those embroiled in violence and suffering across the Holy Land. Our faith is founded upon the teachings of Christ and we believe in the divine message of peace and love for all humanity. We condemn every act which targets civilians, irrespective of nationality, ethnicity, or faith. Such acts fall short of the Biblical mandate to love one’s neighbour as yourself (Mark 12:31).
We advocate for the immediate cessation of all violence and organised activity which brings harm to both Palestinian and Israeli civilians. We support the call of the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem to “implore political leaders and authorities to engage in sincere dialogue, seeking lasting solutions that promote justice, peace, and reconciliation for the people of this land, who have endured the burdens of conflict for far too long.”
Attacks that deliberately target civilians are never justifiable. Humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow, in safety, to those people most in need. The cycle of violence needs to end.
We pray that the Lord may grant comfort and strength to all civilians in the Holy Land and, in our school, for unity and wisdom as we navigate these troubling times. May the God of hope fill our hearts with peace so that we may overflow with love by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Canon I Loynd, Headteacher
Solidarity for the Holy Land
Students and staff are invited to redirect their attention back to the God of peace and love by fasting on the morning of 20 October 2023. The fast will be broken during first break during which candles will be lit and there will be silent reflection and prayer.
Humanitarian support
We encourage all those who are able to donate to the Anglican-run Al Ahli Hospital Appeal. Donations will support the preservation of human life and dignity through access to emergency healthcare. The Al Ahli Hospital is driven by the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality.
Donations can be made securely online via The Jerusalem and the Middle East Church Association (Registered Charity No.1158476). There will also be a cash donation plate during the breaking of the fast on 20 October 2023.
Prayer
The Venerable Mones Farah, Archdeacon for New Church Communities in the Diocese of St Davids, grew up in Nazareth and offers the following suggestions to help guide you in prayer:
Pray for yourself
When you come to prayer, pray first for yourself. Pray that your heart won’t separate Israel and Palestine, Palestine and Israel, so that you enter before God totally wanting God’s love and goodness to be released in the situation.
Pray against fear and blame
This conflict has been going on for the last 76 years. Pray that people will begin to see one another as fellow human beings and will not fear or blame each other. Pray against the spirit of fear and blame.
Pray for the families
Pray for the families and loved ones of those who have been taken hostage and those who have lost their lives or been injured, on both sides. Pray for those who are worried, anxious and grieving.
Pray for an end to the conflict
Pray for an immediate end to the hostility. Pray for people to stop using words of hatred, which undermine each other and make the other side seem less than human. The end of hostility is not just about stopping the firing of bullets, rockets and army incursion – it starts first with the heart and then the mind and the way we speak about each other.
Pray for the peace-makers
Pray for all those who are working for peace, on both sides. Pray that they will take their call to be peacemakers very seriously. Within that, pray for the local churches, Jewish and Arabic. Pray for faithful Muslims and for Jewish leaders who will talk the conversation of peace and of justice. This conflict needs to come to an end and you need peacemakers to begin to have that conversation.
Pray for those under siege
Pray that the siege in Gaza will be short, especially in relation to food, water, essential amenities and utilities. Gaza has suffered for so long and cannot sustain further suffering. Pray too for the Israeli populations, especially around Gaza, that they will not continue to live in fear, staying in protected areas of their buildings and bomb shelters, but they will be able to move in freedom.
Pray for the children
Remember always the youngsters, the children, who cannot articulate what is going on. Pray for those being held hostage and those living with great fear of bombardment on both sides.
Pray for clarity
This is a complex and difficult conflict. But the complexity can be dealt with if we stop saying it is complex and just begin to say it is difficult because when we say ‘complex’ we cannot deal with it. So pray for clarity for how to move forward for both sides.
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
