The Erez crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip
(Photo: Olly L)
Decision to deny entry to church leaders “reprehensible” – but Bishop reaffirms commitment to peace and reconciliation
The Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem was denied entry into Gaza for a pastoral visit yesterday, despite two weeks of negotiations with the Israeli authorities.
The Rt Rev Suheil Dawani and his Lutheran colleague Bishop Mounib Younan were turned back at the Erez security crossing point on the Gaza–Israel border.
In a statement Bishop Dawani said the decision to stop him visiting the Anglican Al Ahli hospital in Gaza City was a source of “deep regret” and “reprehensible”.
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Staff had been caring for patients “under great conditions of stress”, the Bishop said, and he had wanted to take the opportunity of the current ceasefire “to be the pastor that I am to our people.”
Despite his frustration at the decision the bishop chose to underline his commitment to peace and reconciliation and working towards a two-state solution.
“I have always said, we must keep faith and hope alive against all odds as we work in earnest for a just peace and security for all Palestinians and Israelis alike.”
The two bishops, who were part of a five-member delegation of Jerusalem Heads of Churches, waited for two hours at the Erez crossing before being denied entry.
The reason given for the decision was that they were both Palestinians, although both hold Jerusalem Israeli identification cards, according to a statement from the Diocese in Jerusalem.
The other heads of churches, however, were allowed to enter the Gaza Strip – Archbishop Aris Shirvanian of the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem, who holds the same identification card as both bishops, Ethiopian Archbishop Abba Matias, and Latin Church Patriarch Fouad Twal.
The decision to visit Gaza had been made two weeks previously and after negotiations with Israeli authorities, the Dicoese had been informed that the request to visit had been granted.
The Rt Rev Suheil Dawani, Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem
(Photo: © CMS)
Bishop Dawani’s full statement, issued on arrival back at his diocesan offices at St George’s Cathedral, is as follows:
“I deeply regret the decision by those at the Erez Crossing Point to deny me, a recognized Anglican Bishop of the Church in Jerusalem with pastoral responsibilities in Gaza, this important pastoral opportunity during the present quiet in the ceasefire, to visit my diocesan Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City. The Hospital has been carrying a great responsibility for the diocese in providing high quality healthcare to the Gaza communities for over a century of exemplary medical and humanitarian services.
“During this Gaza Conflict our hospital and the dedicated heroic staff provided urgent emergency, inpatient, and outpatient care to many hundreds of civilians, children women and men, tragically caught in the fray of the military operations. The staff ministered to the wounded, injured and the dying under great conditions of stress. Their devotion and work was admirable in the highest tradition of medical ethics and Christian compassion. The purpose of my visit to Gaza, along with my colleagues, the Heads of Churches, was to pastorally affirm such outstanding services rendered, and be the pastor that I am to our people.
“With sense of great sadness, and having just returned from a Washington DC visit yesterday, I deeply regret such a denial of entry, on whatever grounds so stated, by the authorities. Gaza remains a portion of my diocese in the administration of my pastoral duties and responsibilities as a Bishop of the Church for the care of my staff and people. The denial of entry to myself and Bishop Mounib Younan, a close colleague who has been a collegial and active partner in the ministry which began between our two Churches, Lutherans and Anglicans, since 1841, is reprehensible. I say this, because it reflects badly on those in authority at these ‘crossing points’, which the international community had demanded be open to humanitarian endeavours – and most certainly pastoral care is an important factor in such services.
“In spite of this denial of entry today, I will try, and try again to reach our Hospital and people in Gaza to provide the pastoral care as well as the necessary review and supervision of our Hospital, as both its Chairman and President. My intention here is to care for our people and staff and to ensure continued impeccable healthcare and other related services rendered to the community.
“As Anglicans, a faith community across 130 countries – the third largest Christian family, and as caring Christians, and within our collegial interfaith family partnership here in this Diocese of Jerusalem that serves five countries, we have had a rich tradition of devoted and selfless non-sectarian service to all those in need, and certainly in critical areas of healthcare and education.
“Regardless of what happened today at Erez, I will continue the work of peace and reconciliation during this difficult time that we face. And as I have always said, we must keep faith and hope alive against all odds as we work in earnest for a just peace and security for all Palestinians and Israelis alike. I remain committed to a two-state solution that will bring reconciliation and harmony. A solution that brings betterment for all of our communities in Israel and Palestine, to enjoy the blessings of a far better quality of life that they justly deserve with the attendant economic and social opportunities to build the foundation, the fabric of an enduring equitable society.”
CMS is able to accept donations to pass on to partners bringing relief to families in need in Gaza, including Al Ahli hospital. You can give by credit or debit card by using the link below, or send a cheque, payable to Church Mission Society, to CMS, Income Team, Watlington Road, Oxford OX4 6BZ, clearly stating that your donation is for Gaza.