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Introducing:

On Tuesday, March 10, Bishop Suheil Dawani was at last granted permission to go into Gaza to make a pastoral visit to the diocesan Al Ahli Arab Hospital. He had previously been turned away at the border. Bishop Suheil was accompanied by Greek Catholic Archbishop Elias Chacour and Lutheran Bishop Munib Younan.

The three Church leaders made their way through the badly damaged area of northern Gaza to the hospital, which has served over 400 casualties during the recent crisis. During their time at the hospital, Bishop Dawani, Bishop Younan, and Archbishop Chacour were updated by Al Ahli’s devoted director, Suhaila Tarazi and dedicated medical director, Dr. Maher Ayad. As the wounded continue to heal, many are in need of ongoing care, rehabilitation, and social services which continue to stretch the capability of the hospital beyond its normal capacity. Nevertheless, the entire hospital staff continues to provide exemplary care for all in need, regardless of faith or ability to pay, in keeping with the highest standard of medical ethics. The Episcopal diocese of Jerusalem receives donations from across the Anglican community. They are vital to continuing the care and support for the innocent civilians in Gaza.

The three bishops visited staff and patients in the hospital, reassuring all of their concern and support. Taking time to pray in the hospital church for the dead and wounded in the January conflict, as well as for peace in the region, Bishops Dawani and Younan, and Archbishop Chacour toured the hospital grounds, with gratitude for the minimal structural damage despite the windows which blew out.

The remaining part of the visit included a meeting with Constantine Dabbagh, director of the Near East Council of Churches Refugee Works, and a call at their clinic to hear reports of their work, including the damage suffered by their building. Like the staff at the diocesan Al Ahli Arab Hospital, the clinic staff find themselves confronted with extraordinary need and limited resources and housing.

The visiting bishops spoke with the media about their visit, explaining that they came to show their support and thank the medical staff, and to pray for peace in the region and reconciliation between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

There are approximately 3,500 Christians in a population of one and a half million living in Gaza. During his visit, the Bishop said “the Christian presence must be empowered and must remain in the Holy Land.’’ He encouraged Gazan Christians to “look forward and build up what has been destroyed, to keep faith and hope in the future, and carry on living in hope of a more normal situation despite all the hardships”. And the Bishop assured the people of the support of the diocese as they attempt to do this.

From Bishop Suheil

I wish to express my appreciation for the efforts of the Jerusalem & East Mission Trust on behalf of our medical mission and Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, particularly in managing and sending the recent donation of £2,771 It is important that we, the Diocese of Jerusalem, have partners such as yourselves to assist us with the vital ministries we have in this region.

As patients in Gaza are beginning to recover physically and move toward rehabilitation, there is an ongoing need for medical care and social service assistance during the relative calm of this Cease Fire. Such contributions will assist us in this ministry.

In this time of anxiety and turmoil, the institutions of this Diocese provide steady examples of mutual respect and cooperation, humanitarian care and dependable hospitality. We appreciate your partnership as we all represent the One Body, working together in peace and reconciliation to alleviate the suffering of people in need.

With best wishes, The Rt Rev'd. Suheil Dawani
Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem

Editor’s note: Since receiving the Bishop’s letter of gratitude further cheques in excess of £1000 have been received from readers and the Trust has been able to add £2000 from an Emergency fund. If readers wish to contribute, their cheque should be sent to the Farnham Office (1 Hart House, The Hart, Farnham GU9 7HJ) made payable to Jerusalem and East Mission Trust and clearly marked on the covering correspondence for the Gaza medical Appeal. All gifts will be acknowledged and forwarded to the Diocese of Jerusalem.