Statement from the Archbishop of Dublin

“Pray for peace and that the dignity and life of every single person in the Land of the Holy One be respected.” Archbishop Michael Jackson has released the following statement yesterday evening:

I am sorry to bring you distressing news tonight (Tuesday October 17 2023) that al–Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City has been bombed with devastating consequences.

As many will know, al–Ahli is run by our friends in the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem. According to news reports hundreds of people have been killed in this attack.

Earlier today we heard from a clerical colleague in Jerusalem that up to 5,000 people had sought refuge in the grounds of al–Ahli as they believed it to be a safe place and the hospital still had a supply of water and electricity from a generator. However, he understood that these people had left following a rocket attack on Saturday.

The hospital is located in the evacuation zone in northern Gaza but staff have not evacuated as there are patients in the hospital who could not be evacuated. We heard that both staff and patients were terrified.

Our friends in the Diocese of Jerusalem have asked for our prayers and our voices at this time. I urge you now to pray for all the people of Gaza and of Israel. We pray for peace and that the human dignity and life of every single person in the Land of the Holy One be respected.

I also urge all people who have a voice in the political arena to raise it now on behalf of all who are living in terror, grief, trauma and facing death.

Prayers for Israel and Palestine can be found here.

Bishops’ Appeal has released €10,000 (equivalent to £8,650) in emergency funds to the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which runs al-Ahli Hospital.  The Diocese includes 7,000 Anglicans worshipping within 28 congregations in Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan.  It is responsible for more than 30 institutions, including hospitals, schools, clinics, rehabilitation centres, guesthouses, and retirement homes.