Archbishop of York speech on Justice and Peace in Palestine and Israel

Archbishop of York (left) visiting a Palestinian home, Credit: Andrea Krogmann, Office of the Archbishop of York

Source: Archbishop of York

Reflecting on his recent visit to the region, Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell delivered a speech at Lambeth Palace during an 18 November gathering of ecumenical church leaders and Christian agencies. He had visited Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory from 8-11 November 2025 on a pilgrimage of prayer and solidarity with Hosam Naoum, Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem. They spent time in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the South Hebron Hills, Ramallah, and Nazareth, meeting local church leaders, congregations, and community organisations.

Ann Farr, who was at the meeting, having just returned from Palestine as a member of a Pax Christi International Delegation said: "It was good to hear Bishop Stephen speaking so frankly about his recent visit which has clearly affected him deeply. He described the ways in which he was confronted by armed, masked settlers and was refused access to people and places. He also mentioned the violence to which Palestinians in the West Bank are continually subjected to. He made it clear, that not only do we have to speak out but that we have to speak in the strong terms that describe the reality of the daily life of Palestinians. In a call to us all, he said: 'Working for justice and peace in Palestine and Israel will take moral clarity and courage from everyone. We must speak clearly and uphold the dignity of every person.'"

The first part of the speech, with a link to it in its entirety, follows:

Sisters and brothers, it is a great honour and a privilege to be with you and to share these thoughts this morning from a visit that was both horrifying, harrowing but actually deeply beautiful as well.

When Hamas attacked Israel, killing people and taking hostages, the whole world was outraged. This was a barbaric and hideous attack on innocent life. Those of us who for many years have had huge sympathy and support for the plight of Palestinians and the terrible privations and injustices they have experienced cannot and will not condone such barbarism and our hearts go out to those who suffered. We acknowledge the fear and trauma this brings to Jewish people in Israel and across the world and we deplore the rise in antisemitism that has followed from it. We also know that one horror cannot be undone by another. What is happening to Palestinians, Muslim and Christian, in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem is also barbaric and horrific and completely unacceptable by any humane reading of what has happened. Too much innocent blood has been spilled, and for no apparent purpose except growing fear, growing isolation, and mounting tension and despair. Although I am sure all of us are relieved that there is some sort of ceasefire in Gaza, it is still a very long way from the peace that is needed, one that can only be made when there is justice for all people in Israel and Palestine. Jeremiah rightly warns that we should be wary of saying 'Peace, peace, when there is no peace' (see Jeremiah 6. 14).

As so many of you will know, better than me, from your own work in supporting the people of Gaza, the situation there is beyond imagining. Nearly two million people have been forced from their homes, the majority of which have been damaged or destroyed. Huge parts of Gaza are a wasteland - annihilated by two years of relentless bombing and wanton destruction. The Anglican-run Hospital in Gaza has three intensive care beds - three - to serve a surrounding population of one million people. And still the State of Israel is imposing restrictions on food and other aid getting into Gaza: a breach of international law that has become shockingly normalised over the past two years. Gaza remains, as I have said before, a stain on the conscience of the world.

Full speech at: www.archbishopofyork.org/speaking-and-writing/sermons/archbishop-york-speech-justice-and-peace-palestine-and-israel