Bishop of Southwark asks a question regarding a submission to the UN Committee Against Torture

The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answer on 21st July 2022:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the joint submission by Human Rights Watch and Lawyers for Justice on the Palestinian Authority and Hamas to the UN Committee Against Torture at its 74th Session, 12–29 July; and what discussions they have had with the Palestinian Authority as a signatory of the Convention Against Torture. [HL1586]

Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks a question regarding a submission to the UN Committee Against Torture”

Bishop of Worcester raises critical situation of Anglican-run hospital in Gaza

The Lord Bishop of Worcester: My Lords, while argument goes on internationally about who was responsible for what happened in Gaza, is the Minister aware of the enormous suffering that continues there, particularly since the dreadful events of a little while ago? At the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, run by the Anglican Church in Gaza, for example, the situation is described as critical. Is the Minister aware of that? What humanitarian aid is being provided to the people of Gaza at present, particularly to those injured? Continue reading “Bishop of Worcester raises critical situation of Anglican-run hospital in Gaza”

Bishop of Southwark asks about access to medical care for injured protesters in Gaza

On 24th May the Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received a written answer to a question on access to medical care in Gaza for those injured in recent protests:
The Lord Bishop of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Israel about the
scale of acute and long-term medical care available to those injured in the protests at the border with Gaza between 30 March and 14 May, including the provision of increased resources in Gaza and access to facilities on the West Bank and in Israel. [HL7951]

Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks about access to medical care for injured protesters in Gaza”

Bishop of Worcester asks Government about ‘real, substantial hope’ for Gaza

On 15th May 2018, Lord Ahmad repeated the answer to an urgent question asked in the House of Commons on violence at the Gaza border and its impact on the Middle East peace process. The Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Revd John Inge, responded:

The Lord Bishop of Worcester: My Lords, I am grateful to Her Majesty’s Government for the careful yet very specific response they have given to the appalling loss of life at the border between Gaza and the state of Israel yesterday. The thoughts and prayers of this Bench are with all those affected. It is good to know that the Minister supports an independent review of what happened. At the same time, will the Minister agree that, while the United Kingdom recognises the integrity of the border—and, indeed, of all Israel’s pre-1967 borders—and the security of Israel’s prosperous and pluriform society, the defence of its interests must offer tangible hope to those with whom it hopes to engage in dialogue? The phrase, “a glimmer of hope” was mentioned a moment ago. I was in Gaza about four years ago. The situation then was desperate ​and deteriorating. It is infinitely worse now. What real, substantial hope can be given to those who live in what is effectively a vast open prison? Continue reading “Bishop of Worcester asks Government about ‘real, substantial hope’ for Gaza”

Bishop of Norwich asks question on Gaza

Norwich1710On 24th April Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty’s Government “what proposals they have for processes by which Israel might be held accountable for its treatment of the inhabitants of Gaza.” The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham James, asked a supplementary question:

The Lord Bishop of Norwich: My Lords, can the Minister say whether the Government support the UN Secretary-General’s call for an independent investigation into the recent bloodshed in Gaza? Continue reading “Bishop of Norwich asks question on Gaza”

Bishop of Southwark asks Government about humanitarian situation in Gaza

southwark-20feb17On 11th July 2017 the Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received a written answer to a question on the supply of electricity in Palestine:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, what steps they are taking to respond to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, following the decision by the government of Israel to implement a request from the Palestinian Authority to reduce the flow of electricity supplies from Israel to Gaza. Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks Government about humanitarian situation in Gaza”

Bishop of Southwark asks Government about electricity supplies in Gaza

On 29th June 2017 the Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received a written answer from Government about electricity flow from Israel to Gaza.

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the humanitarian impact on Gaza of the decision by the government of Israel to implement a request from the Palestinian Authority to reduce the flow of electricity supplies from Israel to Gaza. Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks Government about electricity supplies in Gaza”

Bishop of Leeds asks about direct aid to hospitals in Gaza strip

leeds-20117-bOn 21st March 2017, Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the present state of public health in the Occupied Territories of Palestine; and the prospects for agreed international action, in particular action by Israel, to keep the Gaza Strip habitable. The Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd Nick Baines asked a supplementary question about direct aid from the UK to particular hospitals.

The Lord Bishop of Leeds My Lords, does the Minister agree that the health sector in the Gaza Strip is really on life support and that while the blockade remains and while there is a lack of public water, this will continue? Does he see any way of encouraging direct aid from the United Kingdom towards particular hospitals? There are two Anglican hospitals, for example, serving the whole community, often free of charge: the Al Ahli Arab Hospital; and the Al-Wafa Medical Rehabilitation Hospital, which has had to be relocated because of damage to St Luke’s Hospital in Nablus. These are beacons of hope in a fairly desperate place. Is there a way of enabling direct funding there as we continue to urge an end to the blockade? Continue reading “Bishop of Leeds asks about direct aid to hospitals in Gaza strip”

Bishop of Chester speaks in debate on the future of Gaza

14.03 Bishop of ChesterOn the Monday 6th June 2015 the Bishop of Chester, the Rt Revd Peter Forster spoke during a debate on the future of Gaza. The Bishop spoke of his experiences visiting the region and suggested that addressing the economic disparity between Israel and Gaza was the most pressing concern in preventing history repeating itself.

Continue reading “Bishop of Chester speaks in debate on the future of Gaza”

Bishop of Southwark – Gaza (Written Answers)

On 23rd February 2015, the Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, received answers to three written questions on the situation in Gaza.

Southwark 2The Lord Bishop of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the funding available to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in Gaza. [HL4862] Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark – Gaza (Written Answers)”

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