wfn.org | Statement on Gaza - Bishop Suheil S. Dawani, The Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem on Gaza

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Statement by the Right Rev'd Suheil S. Dawani, The Anglican Bishop in 
Jerusalem on Gaza

Posted On : December 30, 2008 8:41 PM | Posted By : Webmaster
ACNS: http://www.aco.org/acns/news.cfm/2008/12/30/ACNS4553
Related Categories: Middle East

Jerusalem - During recent weeks, the three Abrahamic Faiths have
observed their Holy Seasons with a sense of peace and goodwill.
Therefore, we are greatly grieved by the severity of the ongoing
military operations in Gaza that are occurring in heavily populated
areas and impacting the civilian population.

As a Diocese with well over a century of an unbroken commitment to the
well being and peace of the community in Gaza City through our Al Ahli
Arab Hospital, we are both stunned and saddened by the events unfolding
in Gaza.

The heavy loss of Palestinian lives and the serious wounds and injuries
to many hundreds of innocent bystanders require the immediate cessation
of hostilities for the well being and safety of both the Palestinian and
Israeli communities, and especially for Gaza and the nearby Israeli
population centers. The gravity of the situation threatens to engulf
this entire region and we ask the Palestinians and Israelis to return to
active negotiations for the well being and safety of both communities.

Of immediate concern is the urgent medical services needed by the
victims of this violence. The immensity of providing care for the
injured and wounded is overwhelming a healthcare system struggling to
provide essential healthcare services for 1.5 million Palestinians, most
of who live in refugee camps.

As the casualties and human suffering continue to rise, we appeal to the
Israeli and Palestinian communities to exercise responsible restraint.
We urgently call on all parties to immediately cease hostilities, and
provide for the humanitarian needs of those directly affected by the
conflict. At the same time, we can assure the Gaza communities that the
Al Ahli Hospital will continue, as it has for many decades.

On Sunday, December 28, 2008, Bishop Dawani traveled to Amman with
Lutheran Bishop Mounib Younan to meet with His Majesty, King Abdullah II
for the King's Seasonal invitation to Church Leaders. The King expressed
his deep concern for the heavy loss of human life in Gaza, called for
the immediate secession of hostilities, and expressed his earnest hope
for the resumption of the Palestinian/Israeli Peace Process. He also
affirmed his full support for the continuing presence of the Christian
community and the safeguarding of its properties. Bishop Dawani, in his
response, spoke with warm appreciation of the King's ongoing support and
assured him that as Church Leaders, "We are Ambassadors for Peace,
Reconciliation and Interfaith Dialogue".

In his Christmas Eve Sermon at the Carol Service held at the Basilica of
the Nativity in Bethlehem, Bishop Dawani in the presence of Palestinian
President Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayaad spoke of the Gift of
Love "that gives us strength to respect the human dignity of all people,
Christian, Muslim and Jews alike," he said, "we are all created in the
Image of God".

The Bishop continued by saying, "The world waits in eager expectation
for people of good will, courage and vision to set aside personal
agendas, to encourage the change of heart, to empower all people of
faith to tear down the walls of cruelty, fear and hatred. We cannot
diminish or escape from the challenges before us which are very real and
confront our people. Peace, a just durable peace, is rooted in the
reconciling love of God for all the people of this land".

> For Further information call:

> Diocese of Jerusalem
> Communications Office
> +972 (0)2 627 1670

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