Anglican Bishops Issue Urgent Call for UK Action on West Bank Crisis
Three prominent Church of England bishops have delivered a stark warning to the British government, criticising its continued failure to publish a legal response to the International Court of Justice's 2024 advisory opinion concerning Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. The bishops argue that this inaction has fostered what they describe as a "culture of impunity" that enables ongoing annexation in the West Bank.
Direct Experience Informs Powerful Critique
Having recently returned from visiting Palestinian Christian communities across the West Bank, the bishops – the Rt Rev Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev Rachel Treweek of Gloucester, and the Rt Rev Graham Usher of Norwich – wrote with first-hand authority. They contrasted high-level international discussions about Gaza's reconstruction with the grim reality they witnessed on the ground.
"We have heard from families living in fear and torment – an unending nightmare where they are denied even minimal dignity," they stated. The letter details a systematic pattern of pressure facing Palestinian communities, including:
- Continuous expansion and legalisation of Israeli settlements
- Intensifying violence from both military forces and settler militias
- Restrictive administrative measures and road closures
- House demolitions and unequal access to essential resources like water and electricity
- A deepening system of legal segregation and unequal governance
A Strategy of Displacement and Despair
The bishops presented a disturbing assessment of the situation's human cost. They reported that many Palestinians feel "terrorised to the point of fearing for their lives" with no effective protection available. This atmosphere, they argue, creates a desperate choice between leaving their homeland or "dying standing." The letter suggests this represents an intentional Israeli government strategy to force displacement.
Legal Obligations and Moral Imperatives
The bishops emphasised that the international community, including the United Kingdom, has clear obligations under international law to protect Palestinian civilians. They specifically called on the British government to:
- Immediately publish its formal response to the ICJ's advisory opinion
- Take all necessary measures to avoid assisting in maintaining what the court deemed Israel's illegal presence in occupied territories
- Uphold its recognition of Palestinian statehood with concrete actions
"The situation in the West Bank is a tragedy foretold," the bishops concluded. "We must stand up and do the right thing before it's too late." Their intervention adds significant religious and moral weight to growing calls for the UK to reassess its approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly regarding the accelerating changes in the West Bank.
