Israel – The Church of England in Parliament

Bishop of Southwark asks about humanitarian aid to Gaza

The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answer on 13th January 2026:

The Bishop of Southwark asked His Majesty’s Government:

what assessment they have made of the impact of recent registration measures by the government of Israel on the ability of international nongovernmental organisations to deliver humanitarian assistance in Gaza.
what assessment they have made of the humanitarian situation in Gaza; and what representations they have made to the government of Israel to lift the restrictions on international humanitarian assistance in that territory.

Bishop of Gloucester asks about UK response to Israeli settlements

The Bishop of Gloucester received the following written answer on 5th January 2026:

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

what assessment they have made of the impact of the construction of the Shdema settlement near Bethlehem on Palestinian livelihoods and the prospects for a two-state solution.
what discussions they have had with the government of Israel regarding the construction of the Shdema settlement near Bethlehem.
what plans they have to introduce asset freezes and travel bans on individuals and entities directly involved in planning or implementing the construction of the Shdema settlement near Bethlehem.

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 trade with businesses based in settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories

The Bishop of Gloucester received the following written answer on 16th July 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester asked His Majesty’s Government what diplomatic support and business assistance they provide to UK-registered companies that trade in goods and services that facilitate and profit from the construction and growth of settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

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.

Bishop of Gloucester asks about approaches to trade with Israeli settlements

The Bishop of Gloucester received the following written answers on 14th July 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester asked His Majesty’s Government what percentage of imports of goods and services into the UK from the Occupied Palestinian Territories originate from, or are linked to, activities related to settlements in (1) 2021, (2) 2022, (3) 2023, (4) 2024, and (5) 2025.

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 Gloucester asks about Israeli settlements and recognition of a Palestinian state

The Bishop of Gloucester received the following written answers on 23rd June 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Gloucester asked His Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding its announcement of 29 May that 22 new Israeli settlements have been approved in the West Bank.

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?

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