Bishop of Blackburn worried about impact of Israel Hamas war

Bishop Philip North held a peace vigil in Preston earlier this week, where members of various faiths, including Muslims and Jews, met to talk about the conflict and recite prayers.

He said he hopes there will be a ceasefire so people can help with the “humanitarian crisis” unfolding in Gaza.

Bishop Philip said: “Israel has a right to defend its borders, but at the same time there is a terrible humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza and civilians are paying the price.

“I am praying for some sort of cease in fighting or humanitarian ceasefire so aid can be brought into the people of Gaza, and so they can negotiate the release of the hostages.”

Bishop Philip said he has noticed tensions rising in East Lancashire, with Jewish and Muslim people alike worried about the implication this war will have on their communities.

He said: “I think there is an overwhelming sense of powerlessness at the moment. You watch this ghastly scene unfold and you think ‘what can we do?’.

“There is no doubt tensions have risen in East Lancashire. For Jewish people, Israel is a symbol of freedom for them, and a free Israel matters for Jewish people across the world.

“In the same way, for Muslim people the occupation of Palestine is a symbol of global Islamophobia.

“For both sides what is happening is significant and it is very hard to find the language to speak about this, as all language is politically charged.

“[People are worried about] an increase in anti-Semitic and Islamophobic attack on the streets. Both sides are very nervous and frightened.”

Bishop Philip said this is not the time for protests, instead encouraging people of faith to pray.

A number of demonstrations have taken place in Blackburn and across the country since the ongoing tensions sparked into war after Hamas militants carried our terrorist attacks in Israel on October 7, killing hundreds of innocent civilians.

Since then, Israel has bombarded Gaza - with what it says are targeted missile attacks on Hamas bases - which has resulted in thousands of Palestinian civilians, many children, being killed.

Israel also cut off water, food and fuel to the Gaza Strip leading to an even worse humanitarian crisis than already exists in the enclave, and only this week allowed aid trucks into the territory again.

On Tuesday evening (October 24), people of several faiths met at the Guild Hall in Preston for a peace vigil.

Reflections were given by representatives from many faith communities, including Jewish and Muslim faiths.

“I don’t think it’s the time for protests, it is the time for prayer and peace,” said Bishop Philip. “People should model the peace we want to see globally.

“The good thing about the vigil we held on Tuesday was that it showed people of all faiths coming together and showing solidarity in the cause of peace.

“One short vigil isn’t going to solve all of these problems but I think something about faith leaders, standing together in solidarity, symbolises another way of being human and together.”

Rishi Sunak said he is pushing for a pause in the fighting between Israel and Hamas to allow aid to reach Palestinians and also create a “safer environment” for UK citizens to leave the bombarded 25-mile strip.

The Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza is the only border point in the territory that is not controlled by Tel Aviv.

Israel has only in recent days agreed to allow aid into the country through the crossing, having besieged the Hamas-ruled area to prevent essentials such as water, food and fuel from reaching more than two million Palestinians.

Recently a woman, who used to live in Blackpool, spoke about the horrors in Gaza.

Stephanie Abwasi, her husband and four children moved from Blackpool to Gaza a year ago. They now hope to flee the war-torn country and take refuge in Egypt.

She told CBS: “We’ve experienced bombing and planes flying over us and buildings destroyed – all sorts of horrible things.

“It’s not been a good experience.”