Tag: Palestine

Church Commissioners Questions: Persecuted Christians, Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, Christians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, End-of-life Ministry, Safeguarding

On 15th January 2026, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha De Cordova MP, gave the following answers to questions from MPs in the House of Commons:

Persecuted Christians Abroad

Matt Turmaine MP (Lab, Watford) asked: 1. What steps the Church of England is taking to help support persecuted Christians in other countries. (907298)

Andrew Rosindell MP (Con, Romford) asked: 3. What steps the Church of England is taking to help tackle the persecution of Christians in other countries.

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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.
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Church Commissioners Questions: National Church Governance Measure, Identity Sexuality Relationships and Marriage, Support for Christians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Vicars (Rural Parishes), Solar Power (Churches)

On 27th November 2025, the Leader of the House of Commons, Sir Alan Campbell MP, gave the following answers to questions from MPs:

National Church Governance Measure

Danny Kruger MP (Reform, East Wiltshire) asked: 2. What guidance the Church Commissioners have received from the Charity Commission on changes proposed under the draft National Church Governance Measure.

Sir Alan Campbell MP (Lab, Tynemouth): I am sorry that the Second Church Estates Commissioner, my hon. Friend the Member for Battersea (Marsha De Cordova), is unwell; we wish her a swift recovery. She will be listening, and if my answers fall short, I am sure that she will follow up on them with Members.

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Bishop of Sheffield asks about provision of medical supplies in Gaza

The Bishop of Sheffield asked a question on the need to ensure financial support and medical supplies reach the Anglican Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza on 16th October 2025:

The Lord Bishop of Sheffield: My Lords, from these Benches, I join others in expressing deep appreciation and thanks to the Lord Speaker for his service to this House and assure him of our continued support in the coming months. Noble Lords may be aware that efforts are under way to rebuild the Al-Ahli hospital, managed by the Anglican diocese of Jerusalem. It remains the only hospital in operation in the north of Gaza, but most of its buildings are in ruins following multiple airstrikes earlier this year. Hospital staff have remained in place throughout the conflict. They are now in urgent need of medical supplies to continue to deliver life-saving treatment. I ask the Minister to bring her influence urgently to bear to ensure that financial support and medical supplies reach the hospital so that it can continue to serve the people of north Gaza.

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Church Commissioners Written Questions: Christianity in Palestine, Child Protection, Poverty

On 16th October 2025, the Second Church Estates Commissioners, Marsha De Cordova MP, gave the following written answers to questions from MPs:

Christianity: Palestine

Richard Baker MP (Lab, Glenrothes and Mid Fife): To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what support the Church of England is providing to Christians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

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Bishop of Gloucester asks about visa applications from Palestinians and Jordanians to the UK

The Bishop of Gloucester received the following written answer on 18th September 2025:

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

  • how many visa applications they (1) received from, and (2) approved for, Palestinians from the Israeli Occupied Palestinian Territories in (a) 2023, (b) 2024, and (c) 2025; and what percentage of these were from and for Palestinian Christians.
  • how many visa applications they (1) received from, and (2) approved for, Jordanian nationals in (a) 2023, (b) 2024, and (c) 2025; and what percentage of these were from and for Jordanian Christians.
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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.
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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.

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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.
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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.

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