conflict – Page 2 – The Church of England in Parliament

Bishop of Leeds asks about recognising roots of global conflicts

The Bishop of Leeds asked a question on tackling the root causes of conflicts in Africa and the Middle East on 1st September 2025, following a government statement on the situation in Gaza:

The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, I totally endorse what has been said about Sudan. I was there a year ago and am in almost weekly contact with people there at the moment. But I am slightly worried about the terms in which we debate some of these matters, such as Gaza and Ukraine. The crisis in Ukraine did not begin on 24 February 2023; the crisis in Gaza and the Middle East did not begin on 7 October 2023. Our attempts to simplify the conflict, perhaps for conceptual reasons, do not always help us. It is immensely complex, it goes back a long way and 7 October cannot be the justification for everything that follows. Does the Minister agree?

Bishop of Norwich asks about settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank

The Bishop of Norwich received the following written answers on 1st September 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich asked His Majesty’s Government:

what assessment they have made of ongoing settler attacks on Palestinian communities in Taybeh in the West Bank, including the attack on St George’s Church on 7 July; and what steps they are taking to impose travel bans and financial sanctions on those responsible.
what representation they have made to the government of Israel to investigate and prevent the reported incidents of arson and assaults by settlers on Palestinian property, agricultural land and holy sites in Taybeh in the West Bank.
whether they have met or intend to meet representatives of the Greek Orthodox Church, Latin Church, and the Melkite Geek Catholic Church following settler violence against Palestinian communities in Taybeh in the West Bank.

Bishop of Gloucester asks about conflict in Gaza and two-state solution

The Bishop of Gloucester received the following written answers on 15th July 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester asked His Majesty’s Government:

what assessment they have made of the attacks by Israel on the Al Ahli Hospital on 13 April and 5 June.
what assessment they have made of whether Palestinian armed groups are using hospitals and medical centres to shelter from attack.
whether they will advocate for an independent and thorough investigation of all Israeli attacks on hospitals, healthcare infrastructure and medical personnel in Gaza, and the alleged misuse of those facilities.

Church Commissioners Questions: Support for those on Low Incomes, Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, Community Cohesion, Christians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Project Spire, Al-Ahli Hospital, Poverty

On 3rd July 2025, Marsha De Cordova MP, on behalf of the Church Commissioners, gave the following answers to MPs in the House of Commons:

People on Low Incomes in Rural Communities

Chris Vince MP (Lab/Co-op, Harlow) asked: 2. What steps the Church of England is taking to support people on low incomes in rural communities.

Marsha De Cordova MP (Lab, Battersea): Our most recent figures show that the Church of England was involved in more than 31,000 community projects across the country, including in my hon. Friend’s constituency of Harlow. In addition, funding for churches in the lowest income communities is set to increase from £91 million in the past three years to £133.5 million.

Bishop of Leeds asks about addressing future risks presented by Israel-Iran conflict

The Bishop of Leeds asked a question on addressing the risk of future terrorism as a result of the trauma of the current conflict in the Middle-East on 24th June 2025, following a government statement on the Israel-Iran conflict:

The Lord Bishop of Leeds: My Lords, I am grateful for the Statement and the commitments the Government are making, but history teaches us that you cannot bomb an idea or a resentment out of existence. Going back to the comments made by the noble Lord, Lord Purvis, about the difference between strategy and tactics, what scenario planning are the Government doing to address the next three or four generations of terrorists who are being born amid the traumas of the current violence?

Bishop of Norwich asks about response to Israel-Iran conflict

The Bishop of Norwich asked a question on ensuring respect for international norms of armed conflict and humanitarian law on 19th June 2025, in response to a Government statement on the Iran-Israel conflict:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, those on these Benches join others in calling for Iran and Israel to draw back from war, especially the killing of civilians, and, as His Majesty’s Government have rightly said, prioritise restraint, diplomacy and dialogue. The noble Lord, Lord Purvis, rightly raised the fact that the conflict with Iran threatens to overshadow and move the focus away from the conflict in Gaza, and I am reassured by the Minister’s response to that. In both conflicts, though, civilians have been and are being targeted. What actions are His Majesty’s Government taking to ensure that internationally accepted norms of armed conflict are being respected, as well as the norms of humanitarian law?

Bishop of Gloucester asks about issues around the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine

The Bishop of Gloucester received the following written answers on 18th June 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester asked His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to review the guidance to businesses trading in produce originating from Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Bishop of Gloucester asks about actions of the Israeli military and international humanitarian law

The Bishop of Gloucester received the following written answer on 17th June 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the Israeli Defence Force’s reported use of the ‘Dahiya Doctrine’, the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure; and of whether it is compatible with international humanitarian law.

Bishop of Southwark asks about government policy towards Israel and Palestine

The Bishop of Southwark asked a question on efforts to recognise Palestinian statehood and the issue of trade with illegal settlements in Israel on 16th June 2025, following a government statement on the conflict in the Middle East:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: My Lords, I pray for wise judgment and a swift end to the current conflict between Israel and Iran. I pray for restraint and for the safety and well-being of Jewish people, here and around the world. I support the steps that have been made to protect British nationals and I am appalled by the attacks on civilians, wherever they occur.

Bishop of Southwark asks about recent attack on Anglican Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza and urges government to consider recognition of state of Palestine

On 9th June 2025, the Bishop of Southwark asked a question on the recent Israeli forces attack on the Anglican Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza, and raised the need for the UK government to recognise the state of Palestine:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister and to His Majesty’s Government for the Statement on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. May I press the Minister on two things? The first is the attack by Israeli forces on the compound of the Anglican al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, killing five, including three journalists and a father escorting his son to the surgical unit for treatment for prior injuries. This is the latest in a number of attacks by the IDF on church hospitals and churches, in defiance of international law. Will the Minister accept that specific actions are now required, since reasoned pleas have been ignored?

Secondly, in light of what the Minister has said about the UN conference from 17 to 20 June and the conducive time to recognise Palestine, will he confirm that a bold and clear statement will be made at that conference of the Government’s firm intention to recognise the state of Palestine?

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