Tag: Palestine

Bishop of Southwark asks about human rights organisations in Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories

The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answer on 8th November 2021:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked Her Majesty’s Government:

  • what discussions they have had with the government of Israel following claims by the Israeli Ministry of Defence that six human rights organisations are linked to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine; and whether they share this assessment by the Israeli Ministry of Defence.
  • what assessment they have made of the work of (1) Al-Haq, (2) Addameer, (3) Defence of Children International – Palestine, (4) Bisan Center for Research and Development, and (5) Union of Palestinian Women’s Committee in monitoring allegations of human rights breaches in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks about human rights organisations in Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories”

Bishop of Ely urges statement of government support for Palestinian communities

The Bishop of Ely asked a question on the status of Palestinian land in the West Bank on 7th July 2021, urging that the government show support for the rights and aspirations of Palestinians, including Palestinian Christian communities:

The Lord Bishop of Ely: With little prospect of negotiations resuming, will the Minister accept that the continued settlement building programme amounts to an incremental and de facto annexation of the West Bank? The international community needs to promote the rights of all Palestinians, including the Christian community. Does the Minister agree that a strong endorsement of Palestinian aspirations by the Government would demonstrate to the Palestinian public the possibility of international political process and show that Her Majesty’s Government are committed to active peacemaking rather than merely to conflict management?

Continue reading “Bishop of Ely urges statement of government support for Palestinian communities”

Bishop of Southwark asks about Palestinian elections, violence, and welfare of families in East Jerusalem

26th May 2021

Jerusalem: Violence

Asked by The Lord Bishop of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the statement by the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches of Jerusalem on 11 May that the violence in Jerusalem “violates the sanctity of the people of Jerusalem and of Jerusalem as the City of Peace”; and what plans they have to call on relevant parties (1) to halt further violence, and (2) to ensure the safety of worshippers. [HL192]

Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks about Palestinian elections, violence, and welfare of families in East Jerusalem”

Bishop of Southwark says underlying causes of Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be addressed

On 20th May 2021 the Bishop of Southwark asked a question in the Lords about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: Some of your Lordships may be aware that I returned from Jerusalem yesterday evening, where I attended the very joyful installation of the new Anglican archbishop there. From an earlier answer given by the Minister, I take it he agrees that, until the underlying causes that gave rise to the clashes on Temple Mount, in the Al-Aqsa Mosque and in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood where I was staying, and the conflict between Hamas and Israel, are addressed, Israelis and Palestinians will not enjoy security, experience justice or build a relationship of mutual respect and regard? Does the Minister agree that, for violence to permanently end, Israel’s occupation must also end?

Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark says underlying causes of Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be addressed”

Bishop of Southwark asks Government about dialogue and peace prospects in Israel and Palestine

On 27th July the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark, received written answers to three questions on Israel and Palestine.

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: HL6801 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what diplomatic engagement they have had with the Middle East Quartet since 31 January.

Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks Government about dialogue and peace prospects in Israel and Palestine”

Bishop of Southwark asks Government about representations to Israel on West Bank settlements

800px-Official_portrait_of_The_Lord_Bishop_of_Southwark_(cropped)On 13th May, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark, received a written answer from Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on Israeli Settlements in the West Bank.

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: HL3520 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about its plans to commence discussions from 1 July on applying Israeli sovereignty to Jewish settlements and other territory in the occupied West Bank.

Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks Government about representations to Israel on West Bank settlements”

Bishop of Southwark asks Government about discussions with EU and USA on West Bank settlements

On 13th May, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark, received a written answer from Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on Israeli Settlements in the West Bank.

800px-Official_portrait_of_The_Lord_Bishop_of_Southwark_(cropped)

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: HL3521 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with (1) EU member states, and (2) the United States, about the government of Israel’s intention to commence discussions from 1 July on applying Israeli sovereignty to Jewish settlements and other territory in the occupied West Bank.

Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks Government about discussions with EU and USA on West Bank settlements”

Bishop of Southwark asks Government about impact of West Bank action on two-state solution

800px-Official_portrait_of_The_Lord_Bishop_of_Southwark_(cropped)

On 13th May, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark, received a written answer from Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on Israeli Settlements in the West Bank.

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: HL3522 To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of any decision by the government of Israel to unilaterally annex part of the West Bank after 1 July on the viability of a two-state solution.

Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks Government about impact of West Bank action on two-state solution”

Bishop of Southwark asks Government about Israeli settlements in West Bank

800px-Official_portrait_of_The_Lord_Bishop_of_Southwark_(cropped)On 13th May, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark, received a written answer from Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on Israeli Settlements in the West Bank.

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: HL3523 To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 13 February (HL1282), what steps they intend to take in response to the government of Israel’s actions should it unilaterally annex parts of the West Bank.

Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks Government about Israeli settlements in West Bank”

Bishop of Southwark asks Government to extend full recognition to the Palestinian state

On 27th February 2020 the House of Lords debated a motion from Baroness Tonge, “To move that this House takes note of the United States’ proposals for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, announced on 28 January.” The Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, spoke in the debate:

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Tonge, for securing this important debate. I also express my gratitude to the Minister and to his officials for the careful but clear Answers to my Parliamentary Written Questions relevant to this debate that he gave on 11 and 13 February.​

Your Lordships’ House will be aware from my interventions in earlier debates that I am the only Anglican bishop who is a member of the Vatican-mandated Holy Land Co-ordination group, which visits Christian communities in Israel and Palestine every January. I also make at least one other visit to the region each year and will be on ecumenical pilgrimage there next week. Last year, I was also in Egypt with His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, Coptic Archbishop of London, and other church leaders. Continue reading “Bishop of Southwark asks Government to extend full recognition to the Palestinian state”