With violence in Israel and Gaza we wrestle with how to respond. Psalm 122 gives us a beginning: ‘Pray for peace’
Let’s worship God
Resources/links to go deeper on this week’s reflection:
For a brief history of the conflict: (BBC): https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-44124396
For various maps illustrating humanitarian conditions in Gaza and West Bank (UN agency): https://www.ochaopt.org/maps
For illustration on religious vocabulary in Jewish-Christian relations: CofS and Chief Rabbi glossary project https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/108745/ocr23-01_a-jewish-christian-glossary_a4_v4.pdf
Most widely accepted definition of anti-semitism: https://www.holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definitions-charters/working-definition-antisemitism
Sabeel centre (CofS partner) – Christian liberation theology centre in Palestine: https://sabeel.org/
Churches together in Britain and Ireland: prayer resources: Prayers and statements on violence in Israel and Gaza (ctbi.org.uk)
B’Tselem – an Israeli human rights recording and news organisation (also CofS partner): https://www.btselem.org/
Opinion pieces:
Personal account, Magen Inon: “I lost my parents in the Hamas attack. My family want peace, not revenge for their deaths” https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/oct/19/hamas-attack-peace-revenge-border-war
Podcast from BBC on claims and counter claims on war-crimes – with human rights experts and lawyers: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0gmsqqm
For hope and action/giving:
Parents Cricle Family Forum – bereaved families from all sides of the conflict working for peace and reconciliation https://www.theparentscircle.org/en/pcff-home-page-en/
Medical Aid for Palestinians: https://www.map.org.uk/
Embrace the Middle East: https://embraceme.org/
Hadeel Palestinian Fairtrade shop (Edinburgh, CofS partner, good for gifts) https://www.hadeel.org/
Aberlour Parish Church 