BISHOP URGES GAZA ENTRY FOR RELIGIOUS LEADERS

Western Morning News
February 9, 2009 Monday
Plymouth, UK

The Bishop of Exeter has urged the British and Israeli governments
to intervene to allow religious leaders into Gaza.

The Rt Rev Michael Langrish spoke out after the Anglican Bishop
of Jerusalem was prevented from entering the Gaza Strip to visit a
hospital where hundreds of civilians are recovering from the recent
conflict.

Bishop Langrish, who criticised Government inaction during the recent
violence in Gaza, said he was "deeply concerned" the Rt Rev Suheil
Dawani, the Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem, which includes Gaza, was
held at a crossing point for two hours before being turned away.

The Lutheran Bishop Mounib Younan was also refused entry. Bishop
Langrish said all sides had to recognise the "importance of working
with religious leaders" who were committed to "peace for all". The
bishops were denied entry because they were Palestinian although both
hold Israeli identity cards.

Other religious leaders from the same delegation allowed to enter
the Gaza Strip were Archbishop Aris Shirvanian of the Armenian
Patriarchate, the Ethiopian Archbishop Abba Matias, and Latin Church
Patriarch Fouad Twal.

In his letter to Foreign Secretary David Miliband and the Ambassador to
Israel Ron Prosor, Bishop Langrish wrote: "I would like to emphasise
the important role of the Al Ahli hospital, especially at the present
time of conflict, in providing urgent medical support.

"The Anglican Bishop of the Church in Jerusalem has pastoral
responsibilities in Gaza and wished to affirm the outstanding
services rendered by the hospital in providing care to many hundreds
of civilians caught in the fray of the military operations."

He added: "It is also essential that all sides recognise the importance
of working with religious leaders who are committed to working with
both communities and seek peace for all."