Picture credit, Diocese of Norwich

The Bishop of Norwich travelled, with the bishops of Chelmsford and Gloucester, as part of the Church of England’s mission to support Christians of the Holy Land, and the work of the Archbishop in Jerusalem.

“This visit to Palestinian Christians was part of an ongoing act of solidarity to listen, pray and walk with sisters and brothers in Christ in Palestine and Israel,” said Bishop Graham.

Although the land is the cradle of Christianity, life is becoming increasingly difficult for the Palestinian Christians in the occupied Palestinian territory.

The Bishop visited Christian families in the West Bank and heard how threats and violence from illegal Israeli settlers are forcing them to abandon the homes and farms which their families have owned and worked for centuries. He was sad not to be able to travel to Gaza, saying he longs to go and support the staff of the Al-Ahli Anglican hospital who he last visited days before Hamas’ horrendous 7^th October attacks on Israel.

The three English bishops, Bishop Graham Usher, Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani and Bishop Rachel Treweek, joined Jewish Rabbis from the group Rabbis for Human Rights to plant olive trees with Christian Palestinian Wasim, at his farm outside Bethlehem.

“Nearby Israeli settlers have frequently threatened these farmers and committed gross acts of violence,” said Bishop Graham.

“The planting of olive trees was an act of faith-filled resistance by Jewish rabbis and Christian bishops getting our hands dirty planting trees of hope together.”

“Olive trees are a great symbol of peace and their roots go deep into this ancient and contested ground. May their leaves be for the healing of the nations.”

Read the rest of the Diocese of Norwich article here