| RESPONDING TO CRISIS | ||
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The start of the year brought terrible images daily out of Gaza. Inability to know quite how to respond combined with strong emotions - hurt, anger, frustration. All this coincided with a heightened threat to the Jewish community and a rapid increase in antisemitic attacks. Various rallies and protests in London were marked by conflicts and, even, violent acts of their own. |
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| Issues discussed included the increase in attacks on synagogues, other Jewish establishments and individual Jews. Anecdotal evidence suggested an increase in anti-Semitic comments not just from the public at large but, worryingly, from Christians also. Another concern was that the basic needs of Gazans were being unfairly politicized, preventing truly humanitarian responses internationally. The meeting emphasized the fact that this was not a religious conflict as such; the presence of a Christian community within Gaza was often ignored. Methods of communication were also considered, together with strategies for alerting the government to the different needs, which were then followed up. | ||
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Relations between the Vatican and Israel was the subject of a half hour live discussion hosted by the often controversial Teheran-based Press-TV. FODIP’s Director, Jane Clements, was interviewed in the London studio along with Rev Dr Stephen Sizer, author of ‘Christian Zionism: Road Map to Armageddon’ and, on a link from Nazareth, Revd Zahi Nasser, Anglican vicar of Christ Church. The discussion was held in the context of the controversy surrounding Bishop Williams and an Israeli comedy show which broadcast material offensive to Christians. |
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