Bishops return from a land where people are suffering trauma

Holy Land Co-Ordination Bishops in Taybeh - last Christian village in the West Bank

The ecumenical, international group of bishops who have returned from their visit to the Holy Land have issue the following statement:

"You are the salt of the earth; you are the light of the world" Matthew 5:13.14

Our pilgrimage was to a Land where people are suffering trauma. We began with a visit to Bedouin communities living on the margins of society in the Occupied West Bank. They shared their experiences of a life on the periphery, being observed but often not encountered, their movement heavily restricted by rapidly expanding settlements encircling them on the surrounding hills.

We heard stories about Israeli settler attacks and their continual violence and intimidation, theft of livestock and demolition of property, leaving many unable to sleep at night for fear of further violence. When we asked them who sees their struggles and their cry to live in peace with their neighbours, they replied: "Nobody sees us."

Our journey continued with Mass in the only completely Christian town in Palestine. They, too, told us of their suffering: endless attacks from extremist settlers, uprooting of their olive trees, the seizure of their land and intimidatory acts that make their daily life unbearable, driving many into mass emigration.

In the twelve months since our last visit, the Land of Promise is being diminished and challenged. Gaza remains a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. The people of the West Bank we encountered are demoralised and fearful. The courageous Israeli voices which speak out for human and civil rights are increasingly threatened; advocating for marginalised voices is a costly solidarity. We fear that soon, they too will be silenced.

As Christians, it is our calling and duty to give a voice to the voiceless, and to bear witness to their dignity, so that the world may know their suffering and be moved to advocate for justice and compassion.

The settlements in the West Bank, illegal under international law, continue to expand by commandeering the land of others. The universality of human rights applies to all without exception. Instead, it is relentlessly replaced by a system where dignity and protection depend on one's civil status.

We affirm Israel's right to exist and for Israelis to live in peace and security; equally, we call for these same rights to be upheld for all those rooted in this land. We hope that efforts for peace will prevail over violence, and that there will be no more acts of terrorism and war. We also urge our governments to exert pressure on Israel to uphold the rules-based international order and to revive meaningful negotiations toward a two-state solution for the benefit and security of all.

We were deeply moved by the faith and steadfastness of local Christians and also by people of other faiths who work to sustain the hope of their communities. They remind us that it is our shared vocation to be "salt of the earth" and "light of the world" and to strive for peaceful coexistence and security across the Holy Land.

We also witnessed the courage of those Jewish and Palestinian voices who, despite immense challenges and their own trauma, continue to advocate for justice, dialogue and reconciliation. Hearing from parents who have lost a child to conflict and can still find a way to forgive, offers a powerful witness to the possibility of peace and reconciliation. Few experiences are more devastating. When such a mother or father pleads for an end to violence, the world must listen - and act.

The people of the Holy Land cry out for our help and prayers; they long for an end to their suffering. Stand with them. Recognise their plea for dignity. Help foster genuine dialogue between communities. Heed the call of Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, to come on pilgrimage as a sign of our love, support and solidarity with them.

As we leave this Land, we do so with our hearts full of compassion for those who are suffering and inspired by those who, by their pursuit of justice, keep the hope of peace alive.

Our Lady Queen of Palestine and of all the Holy Land, pray for us.

Rt Rev Nicholas Hudson
Bishop of Plymouth
Moderator of the Holy Land Coordination
Chair of the International Affairs Department, Bishops' Conference
England and Wales

Rt Rev Nicolo Anselmi
Bishop of Rimini
Italy

Most Rev Udo Bentz
Archbishop of Paderborn
Germany

Rt Rev Peter Burcher
Bishop Emeritus of Reykjavik
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland

Rt Rev James Curry
Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster.
International Affairs Department, Bishops' Conference.
England and Wales

Rt Rev Paul Dempsey
Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin
Ireland

Rt Rev Michel Dubost C.I.M.
Bishop Emeritus of Evry-Corbeil-Essonnes.
France

Most Rev Antoine Herouard
Archbishop of Dijon
Co-President of Justice & Peace, Europe
Vice-President of COMECE
France

Rt Rev Joseph Kopacz
Bishop of Jackson
International Justice and Peace Department, Bishops' Conference
United States of America

Most Rev William Nolan
Archbishop of Glasgow
Justice and Peace Scotland
Scotland

Rt Rev Christian Rodembourg M.S.A.
Bishop of Saint-Hyacinthe
Canada

Most Rev Joan Enric Vives Sicilia
Bishop Emeritus of Urgell
Spain

Rt Rev Abdallah Elias Zaidan
Bishop of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon
Chair of the Committee on International Justice and Peace, Bishops' Conference
United States of America

Central to the Bishops' visit were dialogues with those working for reconciliation and human rights within Israeli and Palestinian society:

LINKS

Holy Land Co-Ordination: https://theholyland.org.uk/

The Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue: https://rossingcenter.org/
A Jerusalem-based interreligious organisation where the bishops discussed the promotion of interreligious and political dialogue among Jews, Christians, and Muslims. The Center works toward fostering a sense of shared identity and mutual understanding, envisioning societies that embrace religious and national diversity as an asset rather than a threat.

Rabbis for Human Rights: www.rhr.org.il/en/
Representing the voice of Jewish tradition in the field of human rights, this non-partisan organization brings together over 170 rabbis and students from all denominations. They are uniquely activist, putting pressure on policymakers to safeguard human rights for all, including Palestinians in the territories, rooted in the conviction that every person is created in the image of God.

The Parents Circle - Families Forum: www.theparentscircle.org/en/homepage-en/
The bishops met with this group of Israeli and Palestinian parents who have all lost children to the conflict yet find the strength to advocate together for reconciliation and justice for all peoples. Their inspirational witness offers a powerful reminder that dialogue and forgiveness remains possible even amid immense trauma and profound grief.