Pilgrims from the Ripon Deanery have just returned from witnessing modern life in the Holy Land, including the occupied West Bank of Palestine.
The 15-strong group, led by Revd Alison Askew, Incumbent of Kirby-on-the-Moor, Cundall with Norton-le-Clay & Skelton-cum-Newby, stayed in both in Jerusalem and Beit Sahour, Bethlehem.
”We visited and prayed at the holy sites, spent considerable time with the local Christians the 'living stones' enjoying their generous hospitality, whilst learning how hard life is for them,” Revd Alison said.
The Christians of the Holy Land now number less than one per cent of the population of Israel / Palestine and that number continues to fall.
”Whilst in Jerusalem, we engaged with the atrocities of the holocaust at Yad Vashem, and on the Mount of Olives we wept with Jesus over the brokenness of Jerusalem and the region, and prayed for peace with justice,” Revd Alison said.
Her report on the political situation in the region is stark and hard-hitting:
“In The West bank we learned at first hand of the injustices, denial of human rights and degradation of the Palestinian people, seeing the full horror of the separation wall and surveillance watch towers; the humiliation and threatening behaviour at checkpoints; the inability of the Palestinian people to travel freely in their own land; the centuries old olive trees that have been uprooted to make way for Israeli settlements on Palestinian lands and much more.
“Perhaps most distressing was a visit to the city of Hebron, the burial place of Abraham, where apartheid is alive and well and frankly it has to be seen to be believed,” she said.
However the group also met those dedicated to bringing peaceful, positive change:
“We had some inspiring speakers including Daniel from Musalaha, an organisation that works for reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians of all religions and none; Hassan at the UNESCO world heritage site at Battir, a creative and successful example of non-violent resistance; representatives of Jeel al Amal orphanage and school in Bethany, Al Shuruq school for blind children in Beit Jala and The Olive Tree campaign.
“We had the joy and privilege of worshipping with our friends at the Greek Orthodox church in Beit Sahour.
“We were constantly reminded of the message of the 8th century prophets and later Jesus himself, that religion cannot be divorced from social morality or separated from a concern and commitment to the poor and marginalised.
“It certainly wasn't a holiday, but it was an inspiring and challenging experience for us all as we tried to get to grips with the brokenness as well as the beauty of the land we call holy,” Revd Alison said.
Pictured are the group from Ripon and an ancient olive tree from the Garden of Gethsemane A similar trip is hoped to take place next year.