The American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem ask for your help

Gaza hospital is isolated, threatened

Interfaith populations observe anniversary of Israeli occupation, call for end to conflict

The Rt. Rev. Suheil Dawani, Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem, is calling for emergency assistance for the diocese’s Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza. Conflict involving Israeli air strikes and the fighting between Palestinian factions has overwhelmed the hospital with casualties, while cutting off its sources of funds and even access to the hospital by its medical staff.

The situation has become more desperate. “If it were only the combatants who suffered from their follies, few would care,” states an appeal from the American Friends. “But as always, the innocent, the children and the peaceful are the ones deprived of housing, food, and shelter. In the midst of all this, the Episcopal Church is a still a light of hope and sanity in the ‘Holy Land.’”

“It is very scary down here”

On May 18, 2007, Suhaila Tarazi, director of Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, has provided the following report:

“It is very scary down here. We are caught in between an intense gunfire from fully armed Fatah and Hamas militants. Both are engaged in brutal attacks and completely disregard human lives.

“Last Wednesday, most of the hospital staff was unable to reach the hospital, including Dr. Maher who is living 2 km away from the hospital. Despite of the agreement between the two parties to put an end to this bloody conflict, the militants are still deploying all the streets. They are blocking main and branch roads, searching people, kidnapping and firing at hostages, and stop ambulances from moving or evacuating the injured.

“One injured 22-year-old man was shot in his legs in the presence of the Al Ahli gatekeeper, who tried his best to stop the shooting and immediately called for the help of our staff. The young man was fortunate to be found by our staff. They defended and saved him from death. . . .

“During the last 24 hours, we have received 20 injured cases at Al Ahli Arab Hospital, which were treated in the emergency department. Six were admitted to the hospital and two were referred to us by the government hospital for further care. Our ambulance had a terrible accident during the transportation of one of these patients. The ambulance team and the patient were not injured, but suffered from trauma as a result. . . .

“Please pray for the two factions to stop this bloody fighting. And please pray for the safety of Al Ahli staff, their families, and the innocent victims in Gaza.”

How you can help

1. Pray for an end to this conflict.
2. Send checks marked “emergency” to AFEDJ PO Box 2040 Orange, CA 92859. The funds will be wired directly to the hospital in Gaza.

In troubled times, a ray of hope

On Sunday, June 3, in an interfaith service held in Jerusalem's St. Stephen’s Church to mark the anniversary of the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, church leaders called for an end to 40 years of Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and emphasized the church's commitment to non-violence in the service of peace.

The service was part of the International Church Action for Peace in Palestine and Israel (ICAPPI), an initiative of the World Council of Churches (WCC) involving churches worldwide during the week from June 3-9. Participants at the service - from community-related organizations and the Jerusalem Coalition for Civil Society - included Christians, Muslims, and Jews.

In his address, Catholic Archbishop Fuad Twal spoke of insecurity, instability and the absence of peace over the past four decades. Stating that "our refusal of the use of violence is in defense of the dignity of all and according to the gospel and the holy books," Twal's message was clear: "Enough!" killing and violence, "Enough!" violence and domination.

The archbishop also described how the churches have been affected: "Closed borders have separated our faithful. Many have left the land, diminishing the size of the Christian community." The church message is "Our land needs you," he emphasized.

In spite of all the difficulties and trauma, today's message, according to Twal, is one of hope: "Human beings are capable of destruction, but also of leading the way to real peace." Thus, he called for reconciliation so that all may live in dignity and security and so that the present generation may build a better future.

At the end of the service, all 120 participants joined in launching the ICAPPI week by praying for God's help to end the occupation "not by revenge, not by hatred," but through seeing God "in each other as Palestinians and Israelis; Jews, Christians, and Muslims." They also prayed to accept "each others' humanity whilst mutually recognizing each others' religious, civil, political, and national rights."