Israel’s continued occupation of Palestinian territory is in danger of radicalising moderate Palestinians and is the key obstacle to security and lasting peace in the region, the Archbishop of Wales said today.
He called on the modern State of Israel to uphold the core values of the ancient Jewish people of God and govern with wisdom and justice.
In a speech to the Governing Body of the Church in Wales, Dr Barry Morgan outlined in detail the desperate conditions in Gaza, where the Church in Wales funds a mobile dental unit.
He said, “The situation in Israel/Palestine is appalling and the UK bears a historical responsibility for that particular region as it does for Zimbabwe……..
“No-one denies that Israel has the right to exist and defend itself, and it is indeed surrounded by states that want its destruction, and one cannot condone the firing of rockets into Israel by Hamas. But the longer things continue as they are then moderate, ordinary Palestinians become more resentful and are in danger of being radicalised.”
He added, “The modern State of Israel, if it claims also to be the homeland for the Ancient Jewish people of God, must take seriously this vocation as the paradigm nation where justice and wisdom are seen to be done.”
The Archbishop compared the relationship between Gaza and Israel with the former apartheid system in South Africa.
He said, “The situation resembles the apartheid system in South Africa because Gaza is next to one of the most sophisticated and modern countries in the world – Israel. Whereas Israel has excellent technology and infrastructure, in Gaza people carry goods by horse and cart. Whereas Israel has an educational system second to none, next to it children live who are denied even a basic education because their schools have been bombed.”
He urged Church members to speak out against injustice in Gaza, Zimbabwe and across the world.
He said, “We, as a Church, perhaps cannot do very much except that we ought to acquaint ourselves with what is going on, and fight against injustice, and demand that the rule of law be upheld wherever it is being flouted for whatever reason. We have a duty to speak out. What happens to one person or nation affects us all.”
Focussing on the UK Government, the Archbishop warned that the “Big Society” policy could make life harder for the poorest and most vulnerable people.
He said, “Does the ‘Big Society’ mean the State withdrawing from areas of life where it is needed most – withdrawing from vital services which, in the end, leads to the poor and the vulnerable being most affected? Many voluntary organisations rely on State grants for their existence but those grants are at risk. The Government has to ensure that all have access to good quality education, health and other public services and to govern in the interests of the whole nation.”
The Archbishop was speaking as President of the Governing Body of the Church in Wales at the start of its two-day meeting at the University of Wales Trinity St David, in Lampeter.
