1st April 2026

Legislation passed by Israel's Knesset will apply exclusively to Palestinians. Only Palestinians will be subject to the death penalty by hanging if convicted of murdering Israelis. The trials will be held in Israeli military courts and executions must be carried out within 90 days of conviction, thereby limiting any realistic appeal. Countries, international organizations, and rights groups have condemned Israel’s new law. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry  said, “The law represents a critical turning point in the formalization of extrajudicial killings under a legal guise.” Amnesty International has said that the use of the death penalty under the new measure could violate the right to life and the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as enshrined in international law. Many human rights groups consider the racially bias legislation as an indicator of apartheid operating across Israel. A statement posted yesterday by the Embassy of Spain in the United Kingdom commented on the legislation - “This is not justice. It is a further step towards apartheid." UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has urged Israel to repeal the law, arguing that it is inconsistent with Israel’s international law obligations, including the right to life. 

Loving God, we are horrified at the racial discrimination which this legislation imposes in the land where Jesus walked, where he met with Samaritans, Romans, Greeks, and people from Africa. We know that in your Kingdom of love there is no Jew or Gentile. So we continue to pray that your Kingdom will come and your will shall be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven. Strengthen the work of legal, humanitarian, and human rights groups, as well as the whole international community to help Israeli to be a place where love is shown to others, where the foreigner is treated as one of the native born, where hatred is turned to love, division transformed into unity, and people can find how good and pleasant iti is when they live together in unity. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Between September 2025 and March 2026, a donation was made each time a member of the Lincolnshire Co-op (UK) shopped with their dividend card  raising £182,000 for local causes. More than 200 good causes and charities, including children’s sports clubs and community spaces, will benefit.  One of these organisations is Sutton on Trent Sports and Community Centre, which will will receive £1,184. The centre promotes health and wellbeing and reduces social isolation by providing a space for the community to host events, including bingo sessions, exercise classes, and comedy shows, as well as serving as a training facility for local sports teams. Another beneficiary is Ermine Music in Lincoln, a community choir.  They will receive £674.  Musical director Annie Griffith said: “Thank you so much to Lincolnshire Co-op and its customers for all the funding we’ve received, it will help us continue to pay for the hall where we meet every week.” 

Between March 2026 and September 2026, Lincolnshire Co-op is supporting 42 local food banks around Lincolnshire and the surrounding areas through its Community Champions scheme. Danielle Lowther, senior community co-ordinator, said: “We know groups in rural areas can struggle to find funding, so it’s a privilege to provide support to so many of them, and play our part in making life better in our communities. Thank you to our incredible members, customers and colleagues whose combined support will see these good causes continue to make a difference – this wouldn’t be possible without you.” 

Father of all,  we give you thanks and praise,

that when we were still far off

you met us in your Son and brought us home.

Dying and living, he declared your love,

gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory.

May we who are Christ's body on earth live his risen life;

may we who have life through faith in him

bring life to others;

may we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world.

Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us,

so we and all your children shall be free,

and the whole earth live to praise your name;

through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Prayer from the Church of England

Alternative Service Book, adjusted.