Welcome to the launch edition of Giving Hope. We are pleased to present our new-look update with lots of information about what is happening in the UK and in the Holy Land.

Our CEO Brendan was finally able to go and visit recently for the first time since the start of the war. Much of the information in this update was gathered on his recent 10-day visit to the Holy Land to see how our projects were coping, to visit and listen to our team and our contacts in the local community, but most importantly, to be a representative of Friend of the Holy Land showing that we stand with them all.

Brendan said: 

"This was by far the most difficult visit I have made to the Holy Land with Jerusalem and Bethlehem akin to ghost towns. In Jerusalem there were very few visitors other than aid and security workers. Hotels were either closed or relying on government business to house refugees. 

In Bethlehem the usually bustling Manger Square and Star Street were empty. I stayed in the 150-room Casa Nova Hotel for two nights and was the only guest to stay in May. 

Tourism, which 80% of the people of Bethlehem rely on, is gone, again. This time it’s worse than the pandemic.

It is more important than ever for us to show solidarity with Christians in the Holy Land and to offer support through fundraising for our new and existing projects." 

Click here to read our update

We hope you enjoy reading Giving Hope.

If you would like to read the update as a pdf, please click here