Photo credit: Victoria Turner

Friends of the Holy Land welcomes the decision of the Church of England’s General Synod to listen more closely to the voices of Palestinian Christians and to stand alongside them as they seek a just and lasting peace through non-violent means.

For too long, the experiences of Christians living in the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem and Israel have been poorly understood or overlooked by their brothers and sisters in the Western Church. We hope this decision will encourage churches across the country to listen, learn, pray and deepen their practical support for Christian communities whose presence in the land of Christ’s birth has diminished alarmingly. As noted by The Ven Revd Stewart Fyfe, Archdeacon in Carlisle Diocese, “Across Israel and the Palestinian territory the Christian population, once amounting to approximately a third of the population has declined to less than 1%."

This decision must, however, be a beginning rather than an end. Genuine solidarity cannot be expressed through statements alone. It requires sustained prayer, a willingness to hear difficult testimony where people are subjected to injustice, violence or the denial of their dignity and in response to act by practical solidarity with each of our Christian brothers and sisters and their families so they feel our Christian love and can see hope for a future where they remain and thrive in the Holy Land.

Friends of the Holy Land is not a political campaigning organisation. Our calling is to stand beside these vulnerable Christian families and communities of all traditions and to help them remain, flourish and continue their witness in the Holy Land for us all. We are embedded at the grassroots of these communities throughout Israel, Palestine and Jordan so we can respond swiftly and directly to their needs. Fr Fadi Diab, present at General Synod is Chair of our local committee. We lament every innocent life lost and long for a future in which Palestinians and Israelis can live in peace, freedom, dignity and security.

We will continue to work closely with the Church of England and with churches of all traditions, helping them respond through prayer, understanding and practical action. At this critical moment, with your help we can together ensure that the Christians of the Holy Land know that they have not been forgotten.

“Let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth." (1 John 3:18)

Brendan Metcalfe, CEO

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About Friends of the Holy Land

Friends of the Holy Land is an ecumenical Christian charity providing immediate relief and long-term practical support to vulnerable Christians in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza, Israel and Jordan. Working through its locally based team and trusted partners, the charity helps more than 2,000 people and their families each year through humanitarian aid, healthcare, education, employment and community projects.

Founded in 2009, Friends of the Holy Land works to ensure that Christians can remain and thrive in the birthplace of their faith, sustaining the region’s historic Christian presence and contributing to a just and lasting peace.

Its patrons include the Most Revd and Rt Hon Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury; Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop Emeritus of Westminster; the Most Revd Richard Moth, Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Revd Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham; the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark, and the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dr Rowan Williams.

Friends of the Holy Land is a registered charity in England and Wales (1202568).