The horror of Gaza continues
The genocidal assault on Gaza by Israel continues with over 40,000 children, women and men killed by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). Seventy percent of the dead are women and children. There has been the wholesale destruction of homes, schools, hospitals and infrastructure such as water and sewage treatment plants. People have limited access to food and have been ordered to relocate to ‘safe areas’ time and again only to be targeted when they move. There are no safe places in Gaza. Over 700 Israeli military personnel have also been killed. The madness of collective punishment by the Israeli government continues
In the occupied Palestinian Territories illegal Jewish settlers and soldiers continue their theft of Palestinian land, the killing of people and the destruction of homes. The Executive Director of B’Tselem, Yuli Novak, addressed the United Nations Security Council recently to describe the current situation. She accuses the Israeli government of not wanting an end to the violence but rather is using the trauma of Jewish Israelis to continue the goal of establishing Jewish supremacy over the entire region. Novak points out that of the 600 people killed in the West Bank by soldiers and settlers, one in six are children. She points to a recent B’Tselem report, ‘Welcome to Hell’, which describes the abuse of Palestinian detainees in what she describes as ‘torture camps.’ She appeals for the international community to take action to end the suffering of people in Palestine and Israel.
Relaunch of the Occupied Territories Bill campaign
On Tuesday (04/09/24) there was a relaunch of the campaign to pass the Occupied Territories Bill. A press conference in Buswell’s Hotel was introduced by Senator Frances Black who sponsored the Occupied Territories Bill in Seanad Éireann six years ago. She pointed to new legal advice which affirms that Ireland has the right to pass into law the Occupied Territories Bill (OTB) under EU law. She also referred to a recent opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that affirms all states are under an obligation not to recognise as legal the situation arising from the unlawful presence of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The meeting in Buswell’s was addressed by Conor O’Neill of Christian Aid, the chairperson of SADAKA, Eamonn Meehan, and the Chief Executive Officer of Action Aid Ireland, Karol Balfe.
This Virgin Media clip gives a good summary of the meeting. Taoiseach Simon Harris has asked the Attorney General for fresh advice on decisions about trade with Israel. The argument of the OTB campaign is that in the light of the ICJ judgement Ireland and all other states have an obligation to ban trade with the illegal settlements. They also refer to experts on EU law, professors Takis Tridimas and Panos Koutrakos, who assert that Ireland is perfectly free to ban trade with Israeli Settlements under EU law.
Talk by prominent Palestinian theologian
On Wednesday 25thSeptember there will be a lecture on ‘Theology after Gaza’ given by the Rev Professor Mitri Rehab in the Emmet Theatre, TCD. This event is under the auspices of the Irish School of Ecumenics and Loyola Institute. Professor Rehab is a prominent Palestinian Christian who served as senior pastor in the Lutheran Christmas Church, Bethlehem for 30 yrs and who founded the Dar Al-Kalima University.
A statement by the Anglican Archbishop of Dublin
Palestinian Christians have been deeply disappointed by the relative silence of western church leaders concerning the assault by Israel on the people of Gaza. So, the expression of solidarity with the victims of Israeli aggression by Archbishop Michael Jackson is to be welcomed. This statement makes specific reference to the International Court of Justice advisory opinion on the illegality of the occupation of Palestinian territories by Israel. Once again, the heads of churches in Jerusalem have issued a joint statement calling for an immediate ceasefire.
Kairos Ireland Zoom Meeting
Kairos Ireland seeks to amplify the voice of Palestinian Christians. To this end we are part of Global Kairos for Justice movement, and we respond to the work of Kairos Palestine. This May Kairos Ireland was represented at a conference in Bethlehem by the Rev Bill Shaw.
Presbyterian minister Bill Shaw from Belfast attended this annual gathering that
brought together Christian activists from many countries to hear the voices of
Palestinian Christians at a time of turmoil in Gaza.
Under the overarching theme of “Do Justice, Love Mercy: Christian Witness in
Contexts of Oppression,” the conference provided a platform for dialogue,
theological reflection and solidarity with Palestinian Christians on the multifaceted
challenges they have faced since the Hamas attack in Southern Israel on 7th
October. There was a palpable sense of urgency and determination throughout the
five days to address the injustices that have arisen. Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, the
conference director, underscored the importance of taking concrete steps towards
building peace and holding institutions accountable for their complicity or inaction.
Bill Shaw will tell us about the whole experience. What did the local leaders and
international speakers share from their lived experience? How did they tackle the
theological implications of the conflict, the realities of life under occupation and the
strategies for promoting reconciliation and peace theology? It was an exciting
moment for him to be there on the day that the Irish government recognised the state
of Palestine.
You are invited to a Kairos Ireland Zoom Meeting to hear Rev Bill Shaw reporting on the “Christ at the Checkpoint” conference held in Bethlehem last May
The webinar is being held on Tuesday 17th September, 2024 at 7:30 PM Dublin/Belfast
Join our Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87667864850?pwd=r1Wig2NR9HSRUEZhX6qKYdHrrv8pcT.1
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