JMECA invites parishes and individuals to dedicate a Good Friday Offering to support the Al Ahli Hospital, Gaza Appeal, and to join together in prayer for our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land. For over 130 years, Anglican church congregations have supported the Province of Jerusalem & the Middle East through the Good Friday Offering, showing their support for the presence and witness of Christians in the region.
The Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza, owned and sacrificially supported over many years by the Episcopal (Anglican) Diocese of Jerusalem, strives to serve the whole 'family' (Ahl) of human beings in Gaza. It has provided a vital service in an appalling situation, committed to restoring 24/7 health services for all people in need of medical care following repeated closures during the war, including a fifth bomb attack on Palm Sunday 2025.
The Diocese of Jerusalem is also committed to the continued ministry of healing and reconciliation. This is fulfilled beyond all expectation by the outstanding service and courage of the people of the Diocese.
In 2023-24 the Al Ahli Hospital Appeal raised £145,309 with a further £59,609 in 2024-25. These donations funded staff salaries and directly enabled hospital personnel to continue their work without financial hardship. The support ensured the hospital could maintain staffing levels, which directly benefitted patients receiving emergency and routine medical care. Ultimately, thousands of patients - including children, women, the elderly, and those affected - benefited from the consistent presence of trained medical professionals in Gaza.
In normal circumstances Al Ahli is a fifty-bed hospital but after the cease-fire in October 2025 it was housing around 120 patients. The World Health Organisation documented a surge of patients at Al Ahli as the only working hospital in Gaza City. It is still carrying out a thousand operations per month, including all kinds of surgery.
There is particular concern for cancer patients. The week before hostilities began in 2023 a new cancer care facility was opened at the hospital by Archbishop Hosam but was destroyed by a missile soon afterwards. The hospital used to see some 1600 cancer patients each year. Neglecting them has led to deterioration and, in some cases, death. The hospital contains the only (3) ICU beds to serve a population of half a million people.
In addition to funds for staff salaries and medical supplies the hospital needs 1000 litres of fuel each day for its generators.
The Ahli Arab Hospital is and will remain a beacon of hope in Gaza and beyond. We thank all our partners around the world and all people of goodwill for their prayers and support in these challenging days.
Please support our brothers and sisters in the diocese of Jerusalem this Easter.
Donations by individuals to the Al Ahli Hospital Appeal can be made here.
Churches and associations can donate by bank transfer or cheque. Please email the Secretary ([email protected]) for details.
Not in the UK?
People who wish to respond to the appeal can do so through charities in Australia, Canada, the UK and USA:
- Australia: Anglican Board of Mission
- Canada: Canadian Companions of the Diocese of Jerusalem
- USA: The American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem
Donations from other countries can be made by bank transfer directly to the Diocese of Jerusalem. Donors should contact email [email protected] for details.
Resources available:
-
JMECA Gift Aid declaration (download as pdf)
-
JMECA information sheet (download as pdf)
-
Prayer for Peace in the Holy Land (download as pdf)
