Israeli-Palestinian Crisis

Our students have expressed their passionate concern about the suffering they witness and their genuine desire to respond in love to the escalation of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict.   Therefore, when Beata Rozycka, an alumna of Sacred Heart Hammersmith, came to address our sixth form about the work of CAFOD, we began a conversation about a possible talk by CAFOD on the Israeli Palestinian crisis.  Beata worked so hard to secure this talk with Maya Street, their Programme Officer for the Middle East. Her talk was informative and grounded in the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. 

We were struck by the number of Israeli Palestinian partnerships that are operating in response to the crisis – these initiatives rarely make the news.  Our goal of social awareness impels us to action, so in the Spring Term, we will look at ways we can act as compassionate Christians in response to areas of conflict in the world.

Ms Maton (Deputy Headteacher)

The CAFOD talk about the Israeli Palestinian crisis really opened our eyes to the struggles people face in that region. While it’s easy to feel detached when we hear about these issues in the news, today’s discussion brought to light the heartbreaking stories of loss and pain endured by those living in Palestine. We were particularly struck by the fact that over 60% of those in Gaza are under 25, reminding us of the shared humanity in this crisis. The speaker emphasized our moral responsibility to seek change, engage in open conversations, and support charitable initiatives. We were moved by the mention of the separation wall that divides families and communities, which highlights the need to build bridges instead of walls, as Pope Francis has said. Instead of leaving with a sense of despair, we felt a strong desire to help through fundraising, writing to our MPs, and educating others. Today’s talk reinforced our belief that we, as young people, must advocate for peace and ensure that living without fear of violence becomes a reality for everyone, especially those who have been stripped of that right.

Gabriela B & Tara G (Year 11)

I was incredibly pleased to hear the talk that had been organised with CAFOD members to discuss the increasingly distressing situation in Gaza. The talk was both informative and inspiring in many ways. The political and historical influences were explained, but without taking away from the importance of going beyond these complexities and compassionately looking at what people are experiencing now in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel. One of the things that struck me the most was the ‘separation wall’, originally built in 2002; it now extends through 85% of Palestinian land, dividing families and towns. Pope Francis reminded us of the necessity to build bridges and not walls.

In a world that seems to be running decisively towards a complete rearmament and seems to prepare for a future of wars, today’s talk was one of the few occasions in which a flame of hope was lit in the thick darkness of indifference and fear surrounding us. Whilst it was intensely touching, I did not leave the classroom with the sole thought of death and destruction on my mind; rather it stimulated a sense of responsibility to help, and this can be done in countless ways such as fundraising, writing to our MP’s, praying and most importantly never stop asking questions.

If anything, today’s talk reinforced the conviction that war, apart from being the most stupid of human activities as it does not re-establish either truth or law, is by far the least humane and most degrading response. We, as young       people, do not want a future, or a present either, in which living in peace, without a constant fear of bombs and violence, is merely a vision. We must make this a reality for us but undoubtedly also for those who have been stripped of their right to live in peace.

Micol F P (Year 11)