14/04/2025

Yesterday across the Church of England and around the Anglican Communion, we marked Palm Sunday – when Jesus entered Jerusalem on the way to his suffering and death on the Cross.

We did so while sharing in the grief, sorrow and outrage of our Palestinian brothers and sisters at the Israeli Government’s attack on the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. Run by the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem, the hospital’s staff have heroically cared for patients in the most unbearable conditions for over 18 months. It is a facility that several of us have visited, and all of us carry in our prayers.

We are especially grieved that this attack on the only Christian hospital in Gaza – the fifth such attack since October 2023 – should occur on Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, and during the Jewish festival of Passover.

There is no justification under international humanitarian law for targeting hospitals, healthcare infrastructure and medical personnel. Hospital staff must be protected at all times so the wounded and sick can be freely treated. We are dismayed that hospitals have become battlegrounds in Gaza.

The Government of Israel has yet to provide clear and compelling evidence to substantiate its claim that the Al Ahli Hospital was being used as a command and control centre by Hamas. Against that backdrop, we call for an independent, thorough and transparent investigation into this attack as well as the alleged misuse of the hospital.

The extremely limited time given to staff and patients to evacuate the hospital was a further assault on fundamental human rights and basic human dignity. We grieve for the child who, during the rushed evacuation, died from a previous head injury, and we pray for his family.

It has been clear for far too long now that there is no military solution to this situation – pursuing this path only leads to more and more suffering for all those caught up in the destruction and deprivation. There is another way: the ceasefire agreement must be respected by all sides, all remaining hostages must be released unconditionally, and unfettered humanitarian aid must reach the people of Gaza.

We appeal especially to the British Government to renew its efforts, through every means possible, to urge the Government of Israel to abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law. Such laws were created to protect human dignity during war. No State can place themselves above them.

We urge all in the Church of England to join us and others around the Anglican Communion in ongoing prayer, and to contribute to the appeal for the Al Ahli Hospital.

As we journey through Holy Week, in the name of Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace, we pray and cry out for an end to this violence. We pray for justice and peace for Palestinians and Israelis, and for security, dignity and hope for all the peoples of the Holy Land.