Listening to the voices of those from the region is fundamentally important to our understanding and engagement around Israel and the Palestinian Territories. Following discussions about this with BMS, they kindly offered to host a webinar entitled 'Listening and learning: the Israel-Gaza conflict'. This gathering was held on 24 June 2025. These videos were taken from that conversation. We would encourage you to listen attentively to the messages they contain.
 

Listening and learning: Shireen Hilal

In this clip, Shireen Hilal, a Director from Bethlehem Bible College, candidly shares the intense pain she feels as a Palestinian Christian living through the war, as someone who has lost loved ones in the conflict, and as someone who has witnessed the complete rupture to reconciliation programmes that used to encourage conversation between Israel and Palestine. Listen to Shireen's moving words alongside two other clips from the webinar, bringing perspectives from Israel and Lebanon.
  

Listening and learning: Rani Saba

In this clip, Rani Saba, General Director of the Association of Baptist Churches in Israel talks about his multi-faceted identity as an Arab, Israeli, Palestinian, Nazarene — and above all, Christian, and what from his perspective this means for his role standing for peace in the region. Listen to this alongside two other clips from the webinar, bringing perspectives from Palestine and Lebanon.
  

Listening and learning: Wissam Nasrallah

In this clip, Wissam Nasrallah, BMS World Mission-supported worker and Chief Operations Officer at Thimar in Lebanon shares an "outside" perspective on the conflict — one nevertheless that has impacted him greatly growing up as a Lebanese Christian. Wissam shares how Christians must reject resentments or preconceptions they may have grown up with in favour of cross-shaped, Christ-centred compassion. Listen to Wissam's call to follow 'the narrow way', alongside two other clips from the webinar, bringing perspectives from Israel and Palestine.
Please do not distribute this video on social media, at Wissam's kind request.

 

---

International development agency Christian Aid has been working with church leaders and campaigners to produce a​series of resources to help tackle the long-standing and ‘too difficult’ issues aroundIsrael and the occupied Palestinian territory. The three short films bring together the voices of UK Christians, and Palestinians in a way which helps churches start their own conversations and inspires them to act for a just peace.

Campaigns and Organising Officer Jess Hall explained the films are part of the organisation’s Just Peace initiative and feature Christian Aid partners sharing their experiences and work. She added: 'We understand people may shy away from conversations about Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, seeing it as too difficult, controversial or uncomfortable. We know it can be challenging for churches to work out where to start. Just Peace aims to build people’s understanding and break the silence. The films are available for download to use in services or discussion events and the accompanying resources, which include an Order of Service and event guide, can be used flexibly to suit your church or meeting.'

To download the films and resources, go to: Inspire your church to act for a just peace - Christian Aid.

 

---

 

The World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI), emerged as a response to an appeal from local church leaders to create an international presence in the region. Ecumenical accompaniers serve the local people and communities, offering protective presence and witnessing their daily struggles and hopes. Stories, fact sheets and more can be found here.
 

 

---

Torn in Two

Written in November 2023, this CTBI document entitled 'Torn in Two' offers some principles and reflections for our engagement out of a context of ecumenical and inter faith relations.