The Middle East
In recent days I have had a few conversations with different people at Christ Church about the situation in the Middle East. With great trepidation – and I really mean that – I felt this morning that I should make it the subject of this week’s Vicar Writes given our government has announced it is formally recognising a Palestinian State.
I’d like to say three things at the start. First, I am not even close to being an expert on the history and current situation. Like most of us I get my information from the news. I read a variety of sources because none of them is impartial and – second – this is a situation fraught with complexity and emotion. Navigating all that is hard. The third thing I would like to say is that this is not intended to be my final word on the subject, but some thoughts that – I hope – will help guide our prayers.
As the Prime Minister pointed out in his statement, ‘Hamas is a brutal terror organisation.’ He emphasised it can have no role to play in a Palestinian State. I agree with those words – but those words have to be followed up with action if they are to have any meaning. What are the UK, Australia and Canada going to do, to help remove Hamas and invest in alternative structures so the Palestinian people have a functioning state? Let us pray that our government’s words will be matched with actions.
Second, some of the hostages that were taken on the brutal events of 7 October almost two years ago are yet to be released. Let us not forget the horrific crimes against humanity perpetrated by Hamas against the people of Israel. The danger of recognising statehood now is that it is taken off the negotiating table for the release of those hostages. Let us pray for those working to bring the hostages home, and for all those affected by what happened two years ago.
At its best, the act of recognising a Palestinian state might force the government of Israel to think again about its actions in Gaza. We do need to be careful what we read online and in the news about how much death and so-called ‘famine’ there is in Gaza – the facts are hard to determine, and different sides emphasise things that bolster their position. But the truth is, most of us cannot begin to imagine the suffering of the Palestinian people right now. We need to pray for an end to the war, that Israel will withdraw its military from Gaza confident that its border is secure, and allow the Palestinian people to return home to begin rebuilding the country – something I also pray Israel would support.
I read these words this morning, and I think it sums up what I’m trying to say:
The gamble [of recognising a Palestinian state], and it is a big one, is that it’ll finally force the Palestinians to accept serious, political and ideological reform — and Israelis to accept that perpetual war and endless occupation are not strategies worth pursuing.
That comes from an article by David Patrikarakos and I think it is one of the best balanced things I’ve read recently on this subject. If you’re listening, the link is on our website: https://unherd.com/2025/09/starmers-palestine-gamble/.
So, finally, let us pray that this ‘gamble’ turns out to be a wise decision that is backed up with real action that helps bring lasting peace to the region.
Revd Ben Green – Vicar