The Archbishop of York’s statement at Lambeth Palace yesterday on the Palestine-Israel issue offers a ray of light and hope in the face of institutional silence on the humanitarian disaster in Gaza and ongoing ethnic cleansing of the West Bank.
His words echo that of the UN Commission of Inquiry who, in September, found genocidal acts committed by Israel, as well as reports by countless NGOs and international bodies, from Christian Aid and B’Tselem, to Oxfam and Médecins Sans Frontières, to the International Association of Genocide Scholars and many more.
“Working for moral justice and peace is the work and responsibility of all faith communities and one we must absolutely strive for. It is deeply concerning that the Archbishop’s powerful words of solidarity and humanity have been misconstrued to be something else. We must stop demonising those who are speaking moral truth and have the courage to stand for humanity and call out injustice no matter where it comes from.
The Archbishop of York witnessed the brunt of settler oppression for himself during his visit to the West Bank where he witnessed the efforts of groups like Rabbis for Human Rights, the Israeli-based human rights organisation protecting Palestinian farmers from settler harassment and attacks. The Anglican church also has direct contacts in Gaza due to their support of the Al Ahli hospital there. As British Muslims we stand in solidarity with him, the Anglican congregations and institutions in Gaza and the West Bank, and alongside Palestinians of all faiths and denominations. Moral humanity is an imperative that all faith leaders should stand for, upholding human dignity and working towards peace must take precedence at a time like this.”
Dr Wajid Akhter, Secretary General of the MCB