Appeals Issued for Holy Land Humanitarian Relief Efforts

Amid the ongoing violence and war between Israel and Hamas, Anglicans are being invited to support humanitarian efforts in the Holy Land.

“In this time of crisis, let us do all that we can to support ongoing relief efforts,” said Bishop Susan Bell, “and to pray unceasingly for peace in the region and for all who are impacted by the brutality of this conflict.”

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Archbishop Hosam Naoum, primate of the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East, issued this joint appeal letter, calling for prayers and donations for the Diocese of Jerusalem’s ministries throughout the Holy Land which are being greatly affected by the war.

Donations from Canada for this appeal can be made through the Companions of Jerusalem’s Anglican Church of Canada webpage.

The appeal comes after Archbishop Justin Welby made a solidarity visit to Jerusalem in the days after the conflict erupted on October 7.

In a related initiative, the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) also participated in a joint appeal through the Humanitarian Coalition and its partner, the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, to support emergency assistance relief efforts in Gaza. An initial $30,000 grant has already been provided to support health services at the Anglican-run al-Ahli Arab Hospital.

The Humanitarian Coalition is a collaboration of 12 leading Canadian aid agencies who work together to raise funds so that humanitarian relief is delivered quickly and effectively. Any donation made to the coalition through PWRDF during the matching period of October 7 to November 19 was matched dollar for dollar by the Government of Canada up to $10 million.

Donations to PWRDF’s Gaza Hospital Emergency Appeal can be made here. People can also donate by phone at 416-822-9083 or by mail. Cheques should be sent to PWRDF, 80 Hayden Street, 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON, Canada, M4Y 3G2. Please indicate “Gaza Hospital” in the memo field.

In addition to these appeals, faith leaders have resoundingly joined their voices to condemn the violence. “Our hearts grieve at the resurgence of violence that bereaves both Palestinian and Israeli families,” said Archbishop Linda Nicholls and Bishop Susan Johnson of the ELCIC in a joint statement.

KAIROS Canada and its member churches, including the Anglican Church of Canada, condemned the current violence, against Israeli and Palestinian civilians, in Israel, Gaza, the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, and called on Canada to do everything in its power to support an immediate ceasefire and a negotiated solution.

The World Council of Churches has also issued several calls for an immediate cessation of the deadly violence. “We call on all parties to de-escalate this war in order to save innocent lives while serving the cause of justice,” said General Secretary Jerry Pillay.