Prayers and statements on violence in the Middle East

Cardinal calls faithful to prayer for peace in Gaza and the Holy Land during Eucharistic Festival

At a Eucharistic Festival in the Diocese of Westminster, Cardinal Nichols encouraged the faithful to join with Pope Leo XIV and Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, in praying for a permanent end to the war in Gaza:

“Now today we are asked to pray especially for the people of Gaza and the Holy Land, for a lasting end to this terrible conflict and the slow building of peace. We pray that the first steps towards peace, being taken now, thanks be to God, may not falter.

“The Patriarch of Jerusalem, their bishop, has written beautifully and passionately about all this. He writes of how the images we see ‘are devastating and unsettling,’ confronting us with the ‘mystery of evil,’ a mystery beyond human understanding.

“He says we should never become accustomed to human suffering, for ‘every life lost, every wound inflicted, every hunger endured remains a scandal in God’s eyes.’ At this point he says we must ‘keep our eyes fixed on Jesus’ (Hebrews 12:2) and together with Jesus ‘we want to gather the many tears of these two years of war: the tears of those who have lost relatives or friends who were killed or kidnapped, those who have lost their homes, their jobs, countries, or lives – innocent victims of a conflict whose end is not yet in sight.’”

For full details please see the Catholic Church in England and Wales website

Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem on the first phase of Gaza peace agreement

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem issued a press release on Thursday, 9 October, in response to the news that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace plan with a view to ending the war in Gaza.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem welcomes with joy the announcement of an agreement that envisages a cessation of the attacks in the Gaza Strip and the immediate release of the hostages, as well as that of Palestinian prisoners. The Patriarchate ardently hopes that this accord will be fully and faithfully implemented, so that it may mark the beginning of the end of this terrible war. It also stresses the absolute urgency of immediate humanitarian relief and the unconditional entry of sufficient aid to Gaza’s suffering population. Above all, the Patriarchate prays that this step may open a path of healing and reconciliation for both Palestinians and Israelis.

For the full statement, please see the Catholic Church in England and Wales website

Cardinal joins Church leaders in calling for an end to the war in Gaza

President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols has joined Archbishop Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, and other Church leaders in calling for an end to the war in Gaza and the release of all hostages and prisoners after Israel launched its major ground offensive in Gaza City.

In the joint statement, the Church leaders insist that “this deadly escalation is futile and must stop”, urging the international community to ensure that Israel upholds its legal responsibility to protect civilians.

The leaders applaud the work of the Churches of the Holy Land and pray for the clergy and nuns who have remained in Gaza City to care for civilians seeking refuge in their church buildings.

The joint statement was released ahead of the United Nations’ International Day of Peace on Saturday, 21 September – a day that Christian organisations and churches have designated a day of prayer and public witness to ask Christians in the UK to come together to pray for an end to war, violence and suffering in the Holy Land.

For the full statement, please see the Catholic Church in England and Wales website

Prayers for Peace in Gaza

Suggested prayers that can be used to pray for peace with justice in Gaza.

Please see the Catholic Church in England and Wales website

Bishop Hudson: Gaza needs prayer and action now more than ever

Bishop Nicholas Hudson, Chair of the International Affairs department of the Bishops’ Conference, has added his voice to those of Pope Leo, the Patriarchs of Jerusalem, and Caritas Internationalis on the situation in Gaza.

“I add my voice to those of the Patriarchs in denouncing the Israeli government’s actions – that this approach is wrong; that it is impossible to justify the deliberate and forcible mass displacement of civilians. For, as the Patriarchs say, ‘There can be no future based on captivity, displacement of Palestinians or revenge.’

“No nation can find lasting security while denying justice and integral human rights to its neighbour. This war must end now. The hostages held by Hamas, living and dead, must be returned to their suffering families; and the two million Gazans, ravaged by hunger and bombardment, must receive the food and medical attention they desperately need.”

For the full statement please see the Catholic Church in England and Wales website

War in Gaza must be ended not increased, says Cardinal Nichols

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Bishops’ Conference, has expressed his sorrow and condemnation after Israel’s security cabinet approved a plan to take control of Gaza City.

“There must be a better way,” he said. “One that does not heap yet further suffering and misery on so many people who are not combatants but defenceless in face of the perpetrators of violence in their midst. Already too much innocent blood has been shed; too many lives destroyed; too much hunger and starvation. This war must be ended not increased.”

For the full statement, please see the Catholic Church in England and Wales website

As mass starvation spreads across Gaza, Catholic aid agencies call for decisive action

CAFOD, the Church’s overseas aid and development agency, alongside 115 organisations including Caritas Internationalis, other country and regional Caritas charities, Pax Christi, and more, have signed a joint letter calling for “decisive action” to bring an end to the humanitarian disaster playing out in Gaza.

For the full letter, please see the Catholic Church in England and Wales website

Cardinal Nichols expresses prayer and sorrow after ‘appalling strike’ on Gaza’s Holy Family Church

Following the shelling by an Israeli tank of the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza with reports of two deaths, serious injuries, and extensive damage to church buildings, Cardinal Vincent Nichols said:

“I condemn this appalling strike on the Holy Family Church in Gaza, pray for the dead and injured, and stand in solidarity with Fr Gabriel Romanelli and the people sheltering in the compound – Christians and Muslims alike.

“For twenty months, the Church of the Holy Family has managed to be a place of sanctuary and spiritual support amidst the horrors of war, feeding and protecting hundreds of people.

“I add my voice to Pope Leo’s call for a return of hostages, and an immediate ceasefire to end the suffering in Gaza and bring peace to the region. I encourage you, in your homes and parishes, to pray for peace and an end to this war.”

Please see the Catholic Church in England and Wales website

Bishop Hudson condemns settler attacks on Christian town in Palestine

Bishop Nicholas Hudson, Chair of the International Affairs Department of the Bishops’ Conference and Moderator of the Holy Land Coordination, has condemned the alarming escalation in settler violence taking place in the West Bank town of Taybeh.

For his full statement please see the Catholic Church in England and Wales website

The suffering in Gaza must end, says Bishop Curry

The Lead Bishop for the Holy Land for the Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Jim Curry, has echoed Pope Leo XIV’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza:

“This is a humanitarian disaster. Desperately needed aid supplies must be allowed into Gaza to be urgently distributed to civilians. The human cost is intolerably high with tens of thousands of weary, regularly displaced people threatened with starvation. We need an immediate ceasefire to end the suffering.

FOR THE FULL STATEMENT, PLEASE SEE THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN ENGLAND AND WALES WEBSITE

Justice & Peace Scotland welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza

Justice & Peace Scotland welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza. This development brings much-needed hope and respite to the Palestinian people after unimaginable suffering, grief and loss.

We recognise the anxious longing of Israeli families who have continued to wait for the safe return of loved ones taken hostage and the hope that this announcement brings to them.

When Fr Gabriel Romanelli, parish priest of the Holy Family Church in Gaza, visited Scotland last year he spoke clearly about what all people of the Holy Land need: a sustainable, authentic, and just peace, grounded in equal rights, dignity, and security for all.

This ceasefire must mark not an end point, but the beginning of a genuine peace process rooted in justice, accountability, and respect for human life. Only such a peace can bring lasting security for both peoples and a future where all can live in freedom and safety.

Please see the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland website

Bishop Brian’s Pastoral Letter regarding his proposal that our Diocese accompany our brothers and sisters suffering in the Holy Land

Please see the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland website

Let us pray for God’s mercy and protection for all the people of the Middle East.

Please pray especially for Archbishop Hosam and the whole Episcopal/Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, including the Diocese of Iran. Anglican churches are caught up in this… pic.twitter.com/zOBQ0jaRPW

— Archbishop of Canterbury (@ArchbishopSarah) March 1, 2026

Bishops pray Gaza ceasefire deal brings immediate relief and comfort

A group of bishops with a close interest in the Holy Land have welcomed the Gaza peace deal, praying that it will “bring immediate relief and comfort”.

The Bishop of Southwark, Christopher Chessun, the Church of England’s lead bishop for the Middle East, together with the Bishops of Chelmsford, Gloucester and Norwich, said there now needs to be a “fundamental shift in attitudes and behaviour” to secure long-term peace.

They said that what had happened in Israel and Gaza “must never be allowed to happen again, anywhere” and pledged to continue to stand in solidarity with the Churches of the Holy Land.

They said: “We hope and pray that today’s agreement will bring immediate relief and comfort to those imprisoned and held hostage, to those who are hungry and homeless and to those fearful for their lives and the lives of their loved ones. After two years of unimaginable death and destruction now is the time for all parties to turn away from war and commit to peace.

“A credible peace must start with a ceasefire, but it will not last without a fundamental shift in the attitudes and behaviours that, for too long, have maintained Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory and thwarted Palestinian self-determination and statehood. The settler violence in the West Bank must cease and the settlement-expansion programme must be reversed.

“We call on our own Government and the wider international community to now work tirelessly in order for Hamas, and for other Palestinian factions, to fully commit to decommissioning their arms and dismantling their military capabilities, while at the same time securing the necessary commitments from Israel to end the occupation in accordance with the International Court of Justice’s ruling of July 19, 2024.

For the full statement, see the Church of England website

Cardinal joins Church leaders in calling for an end to the war in Gaza

President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols has joined Archbishop Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, and other Church leaders in calling for an end to the war in Gaza and the release of all hostages and prisoners after Israel launched its major ground offensive in Gaza City.

In the joint statement, the Church leaders insist that “this deadly escalation is futile and must stop”, urging the international community to ensure that Israel upholds its legal responsibility to protect civilians.

The leaders applaud the work of the Churches of the Holy Land and pray for the clergy and nuns who have remained in Gaza City to care for civilians seeking refuge in their church buildings.

The joint statement was released ahead of the United Nations’ International Day of Peace on Sunday, 21 September – a day that Christian organisations and churches have designated a day of prayer and public witness to ask Christians in the UK to come together to pray for an end to war, violence and suffering in the Holy Land.

For the full statement, see the Archbishop of York’s website

Churches invited to pray together for peace in the Middle East

Church of England congregations are being invited to join together with other churches to pray for the people of Gaza, Israel and the wider Middle East next month.

A group of Christian charities and aid agencies, working with church leaders, is organising a day of prayer for peace in the Middle East on Sunday, September 21. It is timed to coincide with the UN’s International Day of Peace.

The Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, Dr Hosam Naoum, has written a prayer, available for use in churches. It prays for an immediate end to the war, the release of all captives, help for those suffering hunger and starvation in Gaza and beyond, and the resumption of negotiations for a just and lasting peace (full text below).

Prayer material and other information will be made available on special pages on the websites of the ecumenical groups Churches Together in England and Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.

Further events and opportunities for church engagement are planned for the coming months the details of which will be released in due course.

Church of England website

Palestinian statehood – comment from Church of England bishops

The Archbishop of York, together with the Bishops of Southwark, Gloucester, Chelmsford and Norwich, respond to the Prime Minister’s announcement on the possibility of recognising a Palestinian state

As we continue to pray for everyone caught up in the devastating violence and suffering in Palestine and Israel, we welcome His Majesty’s Government’s statement yesterday calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, pledging to work with international partners on a long-term settlement, and the additional steps being taken to help get aid into Gaza.

We call upon the Israeli Government to commit to an immediate ceasefire and to desist from actions that are leading to starvation in Gaza as well as from policies leading to the progressive annexation of the West Bank.

We condemn unequivocally the Hamas terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023. The hostages should be immediately and safely released without conditions attached to their freedom.

We continue to call for an immediate end to this war and for negotiations leading to lasting justice, security and peace.

But the fact remains: a deliberate famine is being inflicted on the people of Gaza.

For the full statement, please see the Archbishop of York’s website

Archbishop of York’s statement on Gaza

The Archbishop issued a statement on the situation in Gaza:

With each passing day in Gaza, the violence, starvation and dehumanisation being inflicted on the civilian population by the Government of Israel becomes more depraved and unconscionable. In the name of God, I cry out against this barbaric assault on human life and dignity. It is a stain on the conscience of the international community, and a flagrant breach of international humanitarian law.

The statement this week by the UK and 27 other states condemning the denial of aid, and the inhumane killing of civilians at aid posts, is an important – if long overdue – sign of growing international resolve to end this war. But while the group stated their preparedness to take further action, there is no time to wait. Action must be taken now to stop this ongoing assault on Gaza, end settlement-building and settler violence in the West Bank, and secure negotiation for a lasting and just peace.

For the full statement, please see the Archbishop of York’s website

Gaza food system ‘like Hunger Games’ – Archbishop Hosam

The leader of the Anglican church in the Holy Land urged Christians to ‘speak out in the face of injustices’ – including the ‘horrifying’ current arrangements for food aid in Gaza – as he called for a permanent ceasefire to end the war.

Please see the Church of England website for Archbishop Hosam’s address to the General Synod

Letter to The Guardian: Britain must hold Israel to account for settler violence in the West Bank

Guli Francis-Dehqani, Rachel Treweek, Graham Usher, Christopher Chessun, the bishops of Chelmsford, Gloucester, Norwich and Southwark, say the UK government has a legal and moral duty to act.

Please see The Guardian website for the full letter

The Archbishop has issued a statement following further bombing of the Anglican-run Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza

Standing with Archbishop Hosam and our Palestinian Anglican sisters and brothers, I condemn yet another callous, reckless attack on the Anglican-run Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza.

Despite our repeated requests, the Israeli Government has been unable to prove its claims that Al-Ahli Hospital has been used by Hamas.

Instead this is part of a relentless and outrageous pattern of attacks on hospitals and healthcare facilities in Gaza. There is no justification for this under international humanitarian law.

These bombings must stop. As the Church of England bishops said recently, this war of aggression must cease. Renewing that call, I join with our Anglican sisters and brothers in Palestine and Israel in crying out for justice, mercy and peace.

PLEASE SEE THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK’S WEBSITE.

House of Bishops statement on Gaza

Recalling our Easter statement (April 14, 2025) following the Government of Israel’s bombing of the Anglican Al Ahli Hospital, we cry out in protest at the death, destruction and suffering that men, women and children have endured in Gaza, Israel and the region these last 20 months. We abhor war in all its forms and see it as a sign of human brokenness.

Nothing justifies the heinous terror attacks committed by Hamas on October 7 2023. In such circumstances nations have a right to self-defence in line with international law, and to hold perpetrators to account.

Yet, the Government of Israel has shown through its statements and actions that this is no longer a defensive war, but a war of aggression. We strongly affirm that the Palestinian inhabitants of Gaza and the West Bank have a right to live in peace and security in their homeland. Any forced displacement of people would constitute an egregious breach of international humanitarian law.

We have watched with horror and outrage as siege and starvation are used as a weapon of war in Gaza, and as hospitals and health facilities have been systemically targeted. Over the last three months, the Israeli government’s deliberate denial of food and medical aid to an entire civilian population is an atrocity that defies our common humanity. It is the very definition of collective punishment and has no moral justification.

FOR THE FULL STATEMENT PLEASE SEE THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND WEBSITE.

Statement from the Archbishop of Dublin on the renewed outbreak of war in the Middle East

The Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, has responded to today’s outbreak of war in the Middle East:

“The escalation and eruption of a situation of warfare in the Middle East fills our hearts with sadness and with alarm for any and all who are suffering the brutalities of contemporary hostilities.

“Central to our prayers are the people of our partner Anglican diocese, the Diocese of Jerusalem, along with their clergy and their Archbishop Hosam Naoum. They are all our friends, our brothers and our sisters.

“We pray for wise leadership, international support for justice, compassionate response to incalculable suffering and devastation, and we pray for peace.”

Please see the Church of Ireland website.

Church of Ireland parishes encouraged to pray for peace in the Holy Land

People in parishes throughout the Church of Ireland are being encouraged to pray for a just and lasting peace in Gaza and the wider region of the Holy Land later this month.

Archbishop John McDowell and Archbishop Michael Jackson are urging everyone in each parish and church community to join together in prayer and consider a time of fasting on Sunday, 21st September 2025 – this is the UN International Day of Peace.

Archbishop McDowell remarked: “Is there to be no end to the innocent suffering – of the people of Gaza, of the hostages held by Hamas, of the families of the hostages and the families of the dead and maimed in Gaza, of the little children? For how much longer can the protagonists remain deaf to the heart–rending cries of suffering and the urging of so many around the world to turn their minds to peace? I would urge those in positions of authority to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza to search their hearts, and for all the people of God to pray for an end to the killing.”

Archbishop Jackson added: “Throughout this conflict my concern has always been for the victims of cruelty, warfare and intimidation. I renew my plea for an immediate ceasefire and for the respect due to human beings – by virtue of their very existence and lives – to be afforded by all involved. This plea includes a call for ceasing to kill civilians, medical professionals and aid workers, photographers and journalists, and ceasing hostage–taking; and for Palestinians living in the occupied territories to be humanely treated and protected at all times. All of this is what is expected of parties to conflict under the Geneva Conventions. We must also ensure that the people of Gaza be given access to plentiful and appropriate food – to stop the spread of famine – and water, and medical supplies and services.”

For full details, please see the Church of Ireland website

Special diocesan collection for Middle East raises £10,000

A special collection for the Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal for World Aid and Development by parishes in Down and Dromore to support people caught up in the violence in Gaza and the wider Middle East, has raised over £10,000.

Bishop David McClay encouraged every parish to give people the opportunity in June to support a special collection – which will be channelled by the Bishops’ Appeal to two trusted partners working on the ground in the Middle East, Tearfund and the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem (who both work across the region).

The money raised will support emergency aid to those most in need, through healthcare, food and shelter, and whatever support can be provided to those in such great need. The Diocese of Jerusalem runs one of the main hospitals in Gaza (Al–Ahli Arab Hospital) which cares for people from all communities. Tearfund is working in Gaza, the West Bank and around the Middle East to provide support and vital supplies to people impacted by the conflict, including displaced communities.

Parishes and individuals still have the opportunity to contribute to the total, by sending donations to Diocese of Down & Dromore, Unit 1, 21 Old Channel Road, Belfast, BT3 9DE – marked for Gaza and Middle East Appeal.

Please see the Church of Ireland website

Church of Ireland archbishops call for decisive action on Gaza

A statement on the current situation in Gaza was issued by Archbishop John McDowell and Archbishop Michael Jackson:

It is with outrage that we watch the desperation, dislocation, and defenceless resident population of Gaza who feel they have been abandoned by the world.

The international community must grasp reality and respond as never before. They can no longer stand by and watch the cruel starvation of innocent people, particularly the most vulnerable – children, older people and the ill – as well as the ongoing physical destruction of their lives and surroundings.

Amid the daily horror, the beacons of hope are the hospitals and the continuation of medical care, however rudimentary. This continues to point to the spirit of service at the heart of humanity.

FOR THE FULL STATEMENT PLEASE SEEE THE CHURCH OF IRELAND WEBSITE.

Prayer for the Middle East

The Church of Scotland is deeply concerned for all those affected by the unfolding situation in the Middle East.

Following the attacks by the USA and Israel on Iran, and Iran’s response, which has brought destruction and anxiety to the wider region, we lament the onset of war in this precious part of the world and urgently pray for an immediate cessation of fighting.

The staff of the Church of Scotland who are based in Israel and Palestine remain safe at this time. We are in constant contact and are supporting them in every way we can.

We echo the calls from our church partners in the region, such as the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East and from the World Council of Churches and World Communion of Reformed Churches for peace, calm, and the unity of humanity. As Jesus commands, we should refuse to see our neighbours as our enemies.

As Bishop Dr Imad Haddad, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land says, we must “pray, and pray fervently”, and match our prayers with courageous and concrete action, standing publicly with those who are afflicted.

The Most Reverend Dr Hosam Naoum, of the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, asks that we “offer each other the sanctuary of Christian love”, and that we remain “bridge builders, keeping the doors of reconciliation open.”

Peace can never come through violence. We urge world leaders to acknowledge the futility of war and bloodshed, and work for peace based on justice and the rule of law.

Rt Rev Rosie Frew, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, has written a prayer.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9)

Loving God

We come before you in sorrow

For once again we are a world affected by war

So many lives disrupted

So much destruction

So much needless loss

So much fear and uncertainty

So much grief and pain

Forgive our inability to live at peace

We pray for peace and unity

Not just the cessation of hostilities

And the laying down of the weapons of war

But the costly, just peace that transforms hearts, structures, and lives

We pray for those in power

For wisdom and courage for world leaders

A willingness to negotiate

For blessed are the peacemakers

We pray for one another

That we would be true to Christ

Who calls us to be peacemakers

Who calls us to pursue justice

Who calls us to love both neighbour and enemy

We pray for safety and security

For residents and visitors across the Middle East

For our church staff and students in the Holy Land

We pray for comfort and compassion

For all those who are grieving

For all those who are afraid

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen.

Please see the Church of Scotland website.

Moderator gives thanks for the ceasefire agreement in Gaza

On behalf of the Church of Scotland, the Moderator has welcomed the ceasefire that promises an end to the conflict in Gaza. Rt Rev Rosie Frew offers prayers for the region saying:

“We rejoice at the news of the peace deal which promises to see an end to the violence in Gaza, the immediate release of the hostages, and the release of some Palestinian prisoners.

“The events of 7th October 2023 cast a dark shadow over the nation of Israel and the people of Gaza. The tragedy of those attacks is now, we pray, drawing to a close. We especially pray for all those afflicted by loss and those whose sorrow is beyond measure.

“The task that now lies before the world is no less important; the building of a just peace, a move towards a viable State of Palestine, and the rebuilding of shattered lives and communities in Gaza and in Israel. The scale of the devastation is beyond comprehension and the prospect of rebuilding daunting.

“Our thanks at this time go to all those who have worked towards the goal of peace and the end of violence.

“As members of the Universal Church, we are called to play our part in supporting that task of rebuilding, for the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ saw birth in that region and continues to bear witness there.

“On this day we stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in Palestine and Israel and we pray for them.”

Church of Scotland website

A statement from the Moderator on the attacks on Al Ahli Hospital

Rt Rev Rosie Frew has commented on the attacks on Al Ahli hospital in Gaza in the wake of the statement from the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.

The Moderator says: In response to the Statement of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem with respect to the multiple attacks on the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza on Sunday 17 August, we stand in solidarity with the staff of the Hospital and pray for them at this time that they might continue ‘Christ’s compassionate healing ministry’.

We pray:

God of love,
Bless those who share with Christ
in the ministry of healing:
doctors, surgeons and nurses
and all who sustain the life of a hospital.
We especially pray for the work of the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza
and for all the hospitals in that torn land.
Even in the midst of darkness, may the light of your presence be known,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Church of Scotland website

Moderator issues statement after missile strikes Holy Family Church in Gaza

The Moderator has joined with the Archbishop of Glasgow to issue a joint statement expressing their sorrow at the loss of life after a missile struck Holy Family Parish Church in Gaza.

Please see the Church of Scotland website for the full statement

General Assembly condemns war on Gaza as it prays for peace in the Middle East

The General Assembly has condemned the resumption of the war on Gaza as it continued to pray for peace with justice in Israel, Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon.

Commissioners backed a deliverance that criticised the blockade of food and humanitarian aid, the ongoing forcible displacement of Gazans and the continued holding of hostages.

Rev David Cameron, convener of the Assembly Trustees, said the churches of the world “cannot remain silent” in the face of such appalling inhumanity.

FOR THE FULL STATEMENT PLEASE SEE THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND WEBSITE.

Irish Bishops: ‘War is not the answer. No political leader has authority to unleash war at will.’

On the second day of the Spring General Meeting of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Maynooth, bishops published the following statement calling for peace in the Middle East:

Yet again, the people of the Middle East are experiencing an unjust war with the loss of innocent lives. War is utterly destructive. In an era of change and readjustment of geopolitical balances and cultural paradigms, war is not the answer. No political leader has the authority to unleash war at will.

The uncertainty incited by the current situation in the Middle East is destabilising for the world on many fronts – politically, socially and economically. This is a time for international diplomacy to work for peace based on justice.

We are particularly mindful of the Irish citizens who are in the various countries of the region at present, including members of the Irish Defence Forces on peacekeeping duties. This is a very worrying time for them and for their families. We assure them all of our prayers during these days.

We pray too for those innocent lives lost, and for all those people and families who carry injuries and trauma.

We join with Pope Leo XIV in calling on all parties involved to ‘assume the moral responsibility of halting the spiral of violence before it becomes an unbridgeable chasm’ (Angelus, 1 March 2026).

As the Holy Father also noted in his recent address to diplomats, ‘All of this suffering, anxiety and fear reminds us how much the world needs to turn to God, who alone is peace. In this season of Lent, let us pray for peace, fast from words and acts of hatred and conflict and discover anew the life-giving peace that Jesus Christ brings us – ‘my own peace I give you, a peace that the world cannot give…’ (John 14:27). Let us keep to the fore Pope Leo’s timely Prayer Intention for March 2026: ‘that nations move towards effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence and war’.

At this moment of great tension and volatility for the people of the Middle East, and for the world, we ask for prayers for peace and healing; that the voices of hatred will be replaced by a politics dedicated to upholding the God-given dignity of every human person, the common good and solidarity with those in need.

Please see the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference website.

Archbishop Eamon Martin: Pray for Gaza for 24 hours this Sunday, 24 August

Parishes across Ireland are invited to unite once more in a Day of Prayer and Reflection for Gaza this Sunday, 24 August 2025.

On Sunday, parishes will be asked to unite, once more, in a Day of Prayer and Reflection for Gaza. For 24 hours on 24 August, all are invited to pray and reflect in a particular way for the suffering people of Gaza.

Archbishop Eamon Martin said, “The Catholic Bishops of Ireland dedicated the month of June to prayer for, and solidarity with, the suffering people of Gaza. Heartbreakingly, since then, the situation has deteriorated further. Innocent lives continue to be lost, many of them children and families while hunger, violence and devastation tighten their grip on a people caught in the crossfire.

For full details please see the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference website

Bishop Kevin Doran: I understand why some are so hesitant to criticise Israel – but this needs to change

Bishop Kevin Doran reflects on the situarion in Gaza and the West Bank.

FOR BISHOP KEVIN DORAN’S REFLECTION, PLEASE SEE THE IRISH CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE WEBSITE.

Irish Bishops call for prayer and fasting for Gaza

Irish Bishops meeting in Maynooth today offered prayers for peace in the Holy Land, for Ukraine, Sudan and in other troubled parts of the world. In particular, bishops discussed the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, stating:

“From all over Ireland, parishioners are reporting their horror and helplessness on seeing images of death and communal destruction in Gaza. Exhausted mothers can no longer nourish their young, children are dying of malnutrition, while aid lorries full of supplies are being refused entry into the territory, or are not safely arriving at their destination.

“We in Ireland must pray for a change of heart. Throughout the month of June – the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – we call on everyone to pray for an outpouring of the compassion of God on a heartless world.

“To see the relentless bombardment of civilian areas, the deliberate withholding of food from the starving, as well as the callous holding of hostages, it appears that humanity has lost its heart. In the face of these horrors, we invite everyone to turn to the heart of Jesus throughout the month of June by praying for the renewal of heart that our world so desperately needs. We call on all Catholics to make the first Friday, 6 June, a day of prayer and fasting in solidarity with our sisters and brothers who are suffering at this time in the Holy Land.

“We echo Pope Leo XIV’s recent appeal to allow into Gaza ‘the entry of dignified humanitarian aid and to put an end to the hostilities, whose heartbreaking price is paid by the children, elderly, and the sick.’”

PLEASE SEE THE IRISH CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE WEBSITE.

Statement on the situation in the Middle East from Global Relationships

We note and share in the grave concern expressed by the World Council of Churches to the widening hostilities across the Middle East and the dangerous escalation of violence which is fuelling a spiral of retaliation. We stand in solidarity with all communities facing fear, loss, and growing instability and call for a renewed commitment to dialogue grounded in the rule of law, with all parties striving for peace and justice.

We hold in prayer all communities across the region and especially our partners, the Middle East Council of Churches, remembering the longstanding Christian witness in the region to justice and meaningful dialogue. We also remember those within our own communities who are part of the Iranian diaspora, their family and friends who are living in the midst of this conflict, and all who – whether at work or on holiday – are currently caught in the region waiting for a safe way home.

We share in the words of the Revd Dr Leão Neto, General Secretary of the World Methodist Council, that “The way of Jesus is the way of peace. He calls us to follow peace and reject war. Jesus said: ‘blessed are the peacemakers.’” In that spirit we offer a prayer for Iran, written by a member of the Methodist Farsi-speaking community.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We believe that you are aware of the situation in Iran and its oppressed and defenceless people.
We pray that you would protect the people and not allow any bloodshed of the innocent.
We pray for peace, freedom and the war to end as soon as possible.
May your will as it is done in heaven be done in Iran and the Middle East. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Please see the Methodist Church website.

Reflection from Palestine from a Palestinian Christian living near Bethlehem

“For nearly three days now, we’ve been living through the latest escalation in the Middle East, and the toll is already heavy. In Bethlehem, I find myself growing more anxious by the day, increasingly worried about our families, friends and loved ones. The uncertainty and distance make it even harder, knowing they are all facing their own risks while we try to cope with ours.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, he entered a world of uncertainty and danger. There was no room in the inn, and Mary and Joseph had to place him in a humble manger, finding shelter in whatever space they could. They were vigilant, protecting him from a world that felt unstable and often unwelcoming. That first night was not comfortable; it was a night of care, concern and awareness of fragility.

Today, we in Bethlehem live in a painfully similar reality. Night after night, emergency alarms wake us from broken sleep. Children cry in fear, parents rush to gather them and neighbours come together to find the safest place in the building – often in stairwells, because there are no proper shelters. We sleep in our clothes, ready to run at a moment’s notice. The gates surrounding Bethlehem are closed by the Israel Defence Forces, limiting movement, and fear and anxiety press on every heart. Families who were already distressed before this escalation now bear an even heavier burden.

Like Mary and Joseph, we protect our children as best we can, sharing our limited spaces and resources, holding onto each other in moments of uncertainty. This reminds us that God is present even in these fearful times. Just as he watched over Jesus in Bethlehem, he watches over every family living in alarm and distress today, sustaining them with courage and hope.

Holy God, we lift before you the lives of those lost in this war and the families who are living in fear of violence. We lament a world where our children cannot live lives of dignity, but instead are forced to grow up under occupation, in a constant state of fear and death. May your Spirit embolden all who resist this occupation with truth and courage. Help keep us steadfast in our faith that your justice will soon come to the land and its people.”

Prayer for the Middle East

God of love,
As we see and hear the news of the devastating violence wrought upon
and within the Middle East,
we hold your broken world before you in prayer,
We pray for lives lost, for people who mourn, and for those living in fear
We pray for people stranded and in need of safe routes and safe harbours.
We long for peace and pray that those who wage war might exchange weapons for words.
Help us to know how to pray, how to speak and how to act,
that we might remember our call to follow the Prince of Peace,
In whose name we pray,
Amen.

Please see the Methodist Church website.

A statement on the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza

We welcome the announcement that Hamas and Israel have agreed to the first phase of a deal that will release all hostages and see Israeli troops withdraw to an agreed line.

Many have prayed for the release of captives on both sides and for an end to the violence. We thank God that these prayers are beginning to be answered.

While this is a significant move toward a ceasefire, lasting peace will require much more. The current 20-point peace plan under negotiation does not address the deeper injustices in the history and present reality of the Holy Land.

In the West Bank, Israel continues to expand illegal settlements through legislation and the actions of violent settler groups, often supported by the Israeli Defence Forces. Palestinians face increasing restrictions on movement, and violent confrontations continue daily.

The West Bank is notably absent from the current peace plan, suggesting that self-determination for Palestinians is not a priority for those leading the peace process.

If the plan succeeds, Gaza may be rebuilt and governed by Palestinians. But the broader relationship between Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank will remain unchanged. The ongoing occupation of the West Bank and the blockade of Gaza have failed to provide freedom for Palestinians or security for Israelis. Without addressing these root issues, the region risks falling back into an uneasy peace, maintained by force and vulnerable to future unrest and violence.

We welcome these first steps toward ending the war on Gaza. We continue to pray for a peace process that delivers justice, security, self-determination, and respect for human rights for all. We urge the international community to support a process that builds on this agreement and leads to a lasting and just peace in the region.

The Revd Richard Andrew, President of the Methodist Conference
Matthew Forsyth, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference

Please see the Methodist Church website

The President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference call on the UK Government to recognise Palestine as an Independent State

From the Revd Richard Andrew and Matthew Forsyth, President and Vice-President of the Conference.

We have been appalled and horrified by the pictures and first-hand witness accounts of the dire situation in Gaza, particularly around access to food for those existing there.

No-one could fail to be moved by the images of emaciated children and we have a moral duty to heed and act on the warnings from countless aid agencies of mass starvation and malnutrition.

We welcome the pause in military activity, but this is not enough. Red lines in international law have been crossed by the Israeli Government and they and Hamas must provide explicit acceptance of the right to peace, security and prosperity for all Israelis and Palestinians.

The Methodist Conference this year accepted a memorial (motion) from the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District Synod asking the Conference to write to the UK government urging it to recognise the independent state of Palestine, a position the Methodist Church has long held.

The motion stated that over the last twelve months, “the Israeli government has accelerated the seizure and annexation of Palestinian land, in violation of international law. This has implications not only for Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza who are forcibly displaced but also for any prospect of a future peace.”

The time is now right for the Government to take decisive action to recognise the state of Palestine, its right to self-determination, and to ensure safety for all its citizens across the West Bank and we urge them to do this without delay.

We ask the Methodist people to continue to pray for those caught up in the violence in Gaza who don’t know where their next meal is coming from. We also continue to pray for those in the West Bank who are living in constant fear of indiscriminate border closures and settler violence against them.

THE STATEMENT AND PRAYER IS AVAILABLE ON THE METHODIST CHURCH WEBSITE

Gaza Justice Campaign A joint update from All We Can and the Methodist Church in Britain

As justice-seekers we can’t stay silent!

We cannot stay silent in the face of atrocities that continue to be perpetrated in Gaza.

The Church institutionally is no expert in international law. But it must take seriously the findings of the top experts in the field, many of whom are adamant that Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute the crime of genocide. ‘The international community must heed the warnings of genocide and act to avoid being complicit in the loss of tens of thousands of lives.

We have a duty to stand in solidarity with our partners on the ground who are bravely continuing their life-transforming work in the face of ‘mass forced hunger, mass forced displacement, mass killings and mass atrocities.’

FOR THE FULL STATEMENT PLEASE SEE THE METHODIST CHURCH WEBSITE.

Press Release: on the Announcement of an Agreement in Gaza

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem welcomes with joy the announcement of an agreement that envisages a cessation of the attacks in the Gaza Strip and the immediate release of the hostages, as well as that of Palestinian prisoners. The Patriarchate ardently hopes that this accord will be fully and faithfully implemented, so that it may mark the beginning of the end of this terrible war. It also stresses the absolute urgency of immediate humanitarian relief and the unconditional entry of sufficient aid to Gaza’s suffering population. Above all, the Patriarchate prays that this step may open a path of healing and reconciliation for both Palestinians and Israelis.

His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, declared:
“It is good news, and we are very happy. It is a first step, the first phase. Of course, there are many others, and surely there will be other obstacles. But now we have to rejoice about this important step that will bring a little more trust for the future and also bring new hope, especially to the people, both Israeli and Palestinians.”
“Now we finally see something new and different. Of course, there will also be a new atmosphere for the continuation of negotiation, also for all the life inside Gaza that will remain terrible for a long time. But now we are happy and we hope that this is just the beginning of a new phase where we can, little by little, start thinking not about war, but about how to rebuild after the war.”
The Patriarchate commends the work of all those who have been involved in the negotiations and expresses appreciation for their tireless efforts in making this step possible.

In this sensitive time, the Patriarchate calls upon everyone to join us in the Day of Prayer for Peace declared by Pope Leo XIV on October 11. May the Lord have mercy on the Holy Land, and may He grant it peace.

Please see the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem website

Press Conference on the Patriarchs’ Visit to Gaza

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem held a joint press conference, highlighting the historic pastoral visit of His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, The Patriarch of Jerusalem. Together, they carried a message of consolation and hope to a grieving people, and a cry of conscience to a silent world.

For full details of the press conference, please see the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem website

Statement of the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem during the Solidarity Visit to Taybeh

We, the Council of Patriarchs and Heads of Churches of Jerusalem, are here today in Taybeh in solidarity with the local community following an intensifying trend of systemic and targeted attacks against them and their presence. We ask for the prayers, attention, and action of the world, particularly that of Christians globally.

On Monday, 7 July 2025, radical Israelis from nearby settlements intentionally set fire near the town’s cemetery and the Church of Saint George, which dates back to the 5th century. Taybeh is the last remaining all-Christian town in the West Bank. These actions are a direct and intentional threat to our local community first and foremost, but also to the historic and religious heritage of our ancestors and holy sites. In the face of such threats, the greatest act of bravery is to continue to call this your home. We stand with you, we support your resilience, and you have our prayers.

For the full statement please see the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem website

UK should work for peace not war in the Middle East, Quakers say

Quakers in Britain have called on the UK government to focus on building a just and sustainable peace in the Middle East.

The call comes after the news that British military bases will be used to bomb Iran as part of ‘defensive’ operations to attack missile facilities.

Quakers warn that military action will not make Britain or its allies safer. It will escalate the conflict, deepen regional instability, and endanger countless more lives.

“As Quakers, we believe that every life is precious,” said Paul Parker, Recording Clerk of Quakers in Britain. “We mourn every life already lost because of this conflict and fear the lasting implications if it is allowed to spread.

“We urge the UK government to reverse its decision to support bombing. The use of British military bases to bomb Iran, even under the guise of ‘defensive’ operations, risks escalating the conflict and putting millions of lives at risk.

“Stability and security are achieved through dialogue, diplomacy and careful long-term peacemaking, not through threats or weapons, which bring destruction, pain and death.”

Parker’s words follow a statement by American Quaker organisation Friends National Committee on Legislation, which strongly condemns US and Israeli actions as well as the violent actions of the Iranian government towards its own people.

Please see the Quakers in Britain website.

Quakers welcome Gaza ceasefire

We welcome with deep relief and thanks the ceasefire in Gaza, the release of the living Israelis held hostage in Gaza and the release of Palestinians, including children, held in Israeli military detention. We mourn with all those who have lost loved ones.

We pray today will be the beginning of a swift process that leads to an enduring peace. This needs to include the permanent end of the genocide in Gaza, an end to the occupation and apartheid in Palestine, and a negotiated settlement that means both Israelis and Palestinians can live in lasting peace and security.

Quakers in Britain website

Quakers join UK churches in urgent call to pray for peace in the Middle East

Quakers in Britain are joining faith-based organisations across the UK in inviting churches to unite in praying for peace in the Middle East, amid escalating violence in Israel and Palestine.

On Sunday, 21 September, UN World Peace Day, churches are invited to hold a minute’s silence and use a prayer written by Hosam E. Naoum, Anglican archbishop in Jerusalem.

Quakers are supporting these actions alongside Christian Aid, CAFOD, Embrace the Middle East and Tearfund.

The call is also endorsed by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, the Church of England, the Methodist Church, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, and others.

The aim of the appeal is to stand in solidarity with those affected by the violence in the Middle East, including Palestinian Christians.

It coincides with the global call to prayer from the World Council of Churches and amplifies the call for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages and a meaningful peace process.

Then on 24 and 25 September, church leaders are invited to Red Lines vigils due to take place at the Senedd in Cardiff, and in Parliament Square, London.

These public acts of witness, open to all, in Parliament or their home towns, aim to draw attention to the suffering of civilians and amplify the call for peace.

A spokesperson for the coalition said: “There is a clear and urgent need for churches in the UK to respond to the escalating crisis in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.

“The gravity of the situation demands a united Christian witness for peace, justice, and reconciliation. We hope as many churches as possible will join us in these actions.”

You can also download a Prayer for the Holy Land from the Quakers in Britain website

Eight Quaker agencies discern genocide is occurring in Gaza and urge courageous action

Quakers in Britain has joined other Quaker agencies around the world to speak out against what they have prayerfully discerned to be genocidal violence in Gaza.

The statement signed by the Quaker United Nations Office, Friends World Committee for Consultation, Quaker Council for European Affairs and others, calls for courageous action from governments to end the genocide.

The statement reminds all states that they have a legal duty under the Genocide Convention to prevent genocide and call for:

• An immediate, permanent ceasefire and full humanitarian access.
• The application of robust, targeted, and timebound sanctions. A comprehensive arms embargo aimed at ending Israel’s genocide in Gaza and the related system of apartheid.
• Respect for international law and accountability. Supporting the order of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and removing any obstacles to support the International Criminal Court (ICC) rulings.
• Protection of free speech and the right to protest. Rejection of all institutional efforts to criminalise solidarity with Palestine and ensuring public spaces remain open for peaceful assemblies demanding justice.
• Dismantling of oppression and establishing a just permanent peace, ending occupation and apartheid policies across Palestine.
• The Quaker agencies commit to advocating relentlessly for the end of the Israeli genocide in Gaza, boycotting settlement goods and divesting from companies profiting from occupation, apartheid, or genocide.

At the same time Quakers will reach out in love to Jewish, Muslim and Palestinian communities, confronting antisemitism, anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hate.

The agencies advocate for the universal human rights of all people in Palestine and Israel – ensuring they can live in freedom and dignity, without fear, and with lasting peace and security.

The statement ends by saying that “We hold in the Light all suffering peoples and leaders, praying they choose justice.”

For the full statement, please see the Quakers in Britain website

Quaker statement on the UK government’s move to recognise Palestine

The future recognition of Palestine is one step, but the UK must act now to end this inhumanity.

Keir Starmer said last week that statehood is “the inalienable right of the Palestinian people”. Yesterday he said he would recognise the state of Palestine in September if Israel failed to commit to a ceasefire and a two-state solution. But threats to act later do not end a genocide now.

For the full statement, please see the Quakers in Britain website

Joint statement on mass starvation across Gaza

“As mass starvations spreads across Gaza, our colleagues and those we serve are wasting away.”

We have added our name to a statement from over 100 humanitarian organisations in solidarity with our partners and in outrage and horror at the genocide being committed by the Israeli government against the Palestinian people.

This is an emergency. Palestinians are being bombed and starved. They are dying by the hour.

Our faith compels us to call – once again – on our government to use all levers available to it to pressure the Israeli government to end this unfathomable inhumanity.

There is no time to wait for others. There is no reason to wait for others. The government must act now.

• Ban all arms sales to Israel including components for F-35 jets
• Suspend the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement
• Pass urgent legislation to ban all UK trade with and investments in Israeli settlements
• Ban UK-based companies and financial institutions from engaging in business that profits from the occupation
• Demand unrestricted access for all aid providers based on established humanitarian principles
• Immediately recognise the state of Palestine

For the full statement, please see the Quakers in Britain website

Quakers first British church to state belief that genocide underway in Gaza

At their annual gathering this weekend, Quakers in Britain became the first British church to state their belief that the Israeli government is committing genocide in Gaza.

“We believe that genocide and mass displacement are underway in the actions of the Israeli government and its military towards the population of Gaza,” Quakers said.

This aligns them with several other Quaker agencies worldwide, including American Friends Service Committee.

FOR THE FULL STATEMENT PLEASE SEE THE QUAKERS IN BRITAIN WEBSITE.

College calls for daily prayer for Gaza relief

The College of Bishops “condemns the attacks on the people of Gaza and the continuing refusal to provide sufficient food and medical care for the residents”.

“We call on all our churches and communities to pray daily for all those suffering in this humanitarian disaster, holding in prayer all those who are suffering, as well as the doctors and nurses who treat them, as we call urgently for the healing of the Land of the Holy One.”

For the full statement please see the Scottish Episcopal Church website

Prayers for the Middle East

The URC offers the following prayer for personal and public use as we reflect on and pray for all caught up in the escalating violence in the Middle East.

Eternal One,
we remember before You
the people of Iran, Israel, Abu Dhabi, Oman, and Bahrain
and those sailing through the Strait of Hormuz:
all places of pain and division where the nations rage furiously together,
where drones and missiles fly overhead, children cry in bunkers,
and the bodies of the dead await funerals.
We remember the Earth, herself,
longing for redemption from humanity’s cruelty,
where every drone and missile wreak havoc and fear
even as they further despoil the earth
and add to the climate change which brings yet more death and destruction.
We grieve a world where there is neither peace nor justice,
where divisions are made into weapons and where ideology is used to maim.
We bitterly regret the failure of diplomacy, and wonder if it was designed to fail.

Guide now, Prince of Peace,
those who dare to work for peace,
those tending the injured,
those seeking to change our world,
those working for democracy and human rights,
and those who advise our political leaders;
that Your wisdom may shine through,
Your compassion be a watchword,
that consequences of our actions may be acknowledged,
and the cries of the children may ring in their ears.

Most Holy Spirit,
breathe Your peace to our troubled world,
comfort the parents of the girls killed at the primary school in Minab,
the relatives of those killed in Beit Shemesh,
and all who mourn in these days filled with war.
Inspire Iranians longing for a free and fair society,
and those who must now lead and guide its future.
Inspire, too, Israelis working for peace and justice,
longing for security and the chance
to finally turn swords into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks.

Eternal Trinity of Love,
Source, Guide, and Goal,
help us to work for peace even in a world at war. Amen

Please see the URC website.

General Assembly Moderator welcomes Gaza ceasefire

Catriona Wheeler, Moderator of the United Reformed Church General Assembly, has welcomed the progress in talks between Palestinians and the government of the State of Israel.

The General Assembly of the United Reformed Church has consistently called for peace in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory based on our belief that all people are created by God with inherent value and dignity.

The announcement of the “first phase” of a peace deal is dependent on further agreement and action by the State of Israel’s government and Hamas. We pray that it will be a turning point, with an end to killing and a beginning of a better life for all those who have been so badly affected by violence; losing loved ones, experiencing life-changing injuries and psychological trauma, being forced to leave their homes, losing livelihoods and the fracturing of communities.

True peace in the Holy Land will take much more than a ceasefire.

For the full statement and prayer, please see the URC website

Call to prayer and public witness for peace in the Holy Land

The United Reformed Church, through its world justice programme Commitment for Life, is encouraging every member and congregation to pray for Gaza on 21 September, as part of the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel.

This initiative is supported by a wide range of denominations both in the UK and worldwide, and coincides with the UN International Day of Peace  and the global call to prayer from the World Council of Churches (WCC).

Churches are invited to include a prayer in their services and may also consider holding a minute’s silence, using the prayer from The Most Revd Dr Hosam E. Naoum, Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, or joining the #FastforGaza action.

For full details please see the URC website

General Assembly passes emergency resolution on Israeli government’s actions in Gaza

The United Reformed Church (URC) General Assembly passed an emergency resolution at its 2025 meeting in response to the Israeli government’s profoundly distressing military actions in Gaza.

The move follows the lead of the World Council of Churches (WCC), whose Central Committee issued a carefully considered statement during its meeting held in Johannesburg from 18-24 June.

For full details pelase see the URC website.