On a recent trip to Dublin, the Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem, who also governs over the West Bank and Gaza, expressed enthusiasm at Ireland officialising the Palestinian statehood. It’s a coincidence that his visit coincides with this development, leading him to remark, “no one will believe that this wasn’t planned”. Archbishop Hosam Naoum and his clergy had travelled to Dublin to join their counterparts from Dublin and Glendalough dioceses for a joint retreat, which started last Sunday and ended on Thursday. He lauded Ireland’s move, describing it as “timely”.
The archbishop, who himself is a Christian Arab Israeli, stated, “It’s truly a joyous occasion. I believe it’s only a matter of time before the world confirms that this is the correct course of action and all nations should follow suit.” He went further to express how this development brings us closer to achieving harmony between Palestinians and Israelis, a two-state solution, although this idea is no longer seen by many as achievable.
Addressing the congregation at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute in Dublin, the Archbishop maintained that a two-state solution was the “sole guarantee for lasting peace and security for both parties”, while highlighting the need for a “just and lasting peace.”
He stressed that it would have been much more satisfactory if Israel had taken the initiative in recognising Palestine before any other country, as, in his opinion, other nations would have followed suit.
On Monday evening, during a special service at St Ann’s Church on Dublin’s Dawson St, Archbishop Naoum conveyed his heartfelt gratitude for the €216,000 raised by the Church of Ireland dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough to aid the reconstruction of the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. The hospital, administered by the Anglican diocese of Jerusalem, simply couldn’t withstand the blast that claimed over 200 lives and caused severe injuries last October. The Israeli Defence Forces and Hamas continue to argue over who triggered the explosion.
Furthermore, the Archbishop remembered the queries surrounding the fate of the hospital if these conflicts result in its devastation. His resolve remains strong, saying that they would “establish another hospital and another clinic, by virtue of our faith. That is our motivation behind inaugurating another clinic in Rafah a month ago, for the sake of broadening our reach.”