Anglican Communion News Service

Salaam

There is no doubt that the current violent conflict targeting the Liberated Palestinian Territories, Jerusalem and the Arab Palestinian citizens of Israel has markedly escalated over the past twenty-four hours.

On Sunday evening, October 8th, several hundreds of armed Israeli settlers brazenly rampaged through Arab homes and businesses in Nazareth, as well as the Jerusalem suburbs of Shufat, A-Ram and Beit Hanina. Property was wantonly destroyed, people were attacked and injured, and two Arab Palestinian Nazarenes were killed.

The increased focus of attack on the Arab Palestinian citizens of Israel is a calculated change in policy. Over the last fifty-two years, this has never happened. The Arab Palestinians of Israel have a proven history of observance of the laws of Israel; their only recent provocation to violent attacks has been peaceful demonstrations.

So far, over 90 Palestinians have been killed, including 13 Arab Israelis, and of these over 50% are minors under the age of eighteen. Over three thousand have been injured. Health care institutions are full beyond capacity, and the Palestinian Ministry of Health reports a dangerously low stock of medications and supplies. Hospitals in neighboring Arab countries are also full with those critical cases that have been transferred. The recent closure of the Gaza Airport by Israel has not only hindered the arrival of international donations of medical supplies and aid, it has necessitated the transport of critically ill and injured patients across the border to El Arish in Egypt for air evacuation. Your support to help alleviate the pain of our injured will be greatly appreciated. We ask that you send your gifts of kindness to our Diocese, which will be earmarked toward Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza and St. Luke's Hospital in Nablus.

We recognize, with gratitude, the resolution of the United Nations Security Council, condemning the extreme force used against Arab Palestinians by the Israeli Armed Forces.

• We call upon the international community to provide us, the Arab Palestinians of the Liberated Palestinian Lands, the Holy City of Jerusalem and inside the State of Israel, with protection. We fear for our safety and security, and the safety of our families, neighbors and loved ones.

• We call upon the international community to compel the State of Israel to withdraw its armed forces, troops, armed settlers and civilians, and vigilante patrols from all inhabited areas of Liberated Palestine, as well as the predominately Arab populated areas of East Jerusalem and Israel.

• We call upon the international community to demand a proper investigation of the causes behind the current bloody aggression, to be carried out by a neutral party, such as the United Nations.

• We call upon the international community to force the government of Israel to honor, comply and abide by all previous United Nations resolutions and withdraw from areas still under Israeli occupation since 1967, including East Jerusalem.

• We ask that the international community support our endeavor to raise the funds necessary to cover the cost of legal proceedings against those found responsible, with the object of recouping the loss of property and life, and the devastating effects of injury to body, mind and spirit. This will be done through an Ecumenical Fund for Legal Aid to Support Palestinian Victims of Violence.

• We deeply value your support in prayer and your endeavor to bring awareness of the Palestinian cause to your respective governments.

In Christ,

+Rt. Rev. Riah Abu El-Assal
Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem