21st August 2026

A new report by the Israeli human rights organisation Yesh Din describes the “rapid shift” in “violence and pressure exerted by the Israeli government, military and settlers on Palestinians in the so-called Areas A and B.  Together with Area C, these areas were designated in the Oslo Accords to encompass the shape of a future Palestinian state.  Successive Israeli governments, driven by the settler movement, have pursued a long-term policy of undermining Palestinian claims.  According to the report’s analysis, as settler and state violence against Palestinian communities in Area C has intensified in recent years, Palestinians have been forcibly pushed into Areas A and B.

Yesterday, in a joint statement, the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Canada called the Israel's plans to open up tenders for the construction of some 1,200 settlement homes in a strategically important part of the occupied West Bank "unacceptable", and urged Israel to "retract the plans immediately". In a separate statement, the UN secretary general said the plan posed an "existential threat" to a contiguous Palestinian state - and so did Belgium's foreign minister.

Loving God, forgive us for the oppression of others. Forgive us when we disregard international agreements that we have voluntarily signed. Forgive us when we use violence and destruction to get our way. Loving God help us to live together in unity, recognising that all are creatures of your creation. Guide the international community to work collaboratively to resolve the differences between Palestine and Israel. Comfort all who are displaced from their homes and livelihoods. Bring peace to all who live in fear. Help us to make a reality our prayer that your will chall be done on earth as it is in heaven, understanding that in heaven there is no Jew or Gentile. In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

John Gribbin and Eamonn Donnelly were born in County Armagh in Northern Ireland and have been life long friends.  John now lives in Essex, eastern England and Eamonn in Graz in Austria. Earlier this week they completed completed an extraordinary 1,000km+ charity walk from John's home in Essex back to Armagh to raise money for two children’s charities that are special to them and their families.

For the past 5-6 weeks they have walked across public footpaths and rights of way with backpacks and tents on their back, all through the record temperatures of England’s recent heatwave and heavy rain in Scotland. One of them, has even had to spend a day in hospital on a fluid drip as treatment for dehydration, due to the unprecedented temperatures they were walking in. Their “Home from Home” challenge has raised money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, where his eldest son received treatment after he was born. Eamonn is walking for the Northern Ireland-headquartered Cancer Fund for Children, which supported his niece Lucy and her family after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2020. To date they have raise £8,755.

You can support John and Eammon here.

Father in heaven, may your name be praised.

I thank you that you love me

even when I forget you,

even when I disobey your commands.

How wonderful,

how marvellous,

Lord, you are to your children.

You never shut us out

nor turn us away,

but you are always there for us,

welcoming us to you with open arms.

Praise and glory be to you. 

Great and mighty are your works.

True and just are your ways.

May your name be lifted high.

You alone are holy,

Father, Son and Spirit, one eternal God.

Blessing and honour,

power and might

be yours for ever.  Amen.