The Rt Rev Suheil Dawani, the Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem and Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem that includes Gaza, after two hours of waiting was denied entry into the Gaza Strip at the Israeli EREZ security Crossing Point this morning along with Lutheran Bishop Mounib Younan.
A spokesman for the Anglican diocese said that both Bishops were on a pastoral visit to include the al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, an institution of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, and to members of their communities as part of a five-member delegation of the Jerusalem Heads of Church. The decision for the pastoral visit was apparently made two weeks ago and negotiations for the permits were begun with the Israeli authorities for that purpose. They had been informed that their request to enter Gaza had been granted.
I think the Bishop may be forgetting there is a war on. I am sure he has clergy who will be allowed to enter. If not true I am sorry, but I sense a more political and less pastoral visit was planned.
Given that noted Anglican bishops have made negative comments about Israeli’s action heretofore, if I was Israeli I would not authorize the visit eithier.
While I agree with you Scott, but this is precisely where Israel blows the publicity game. An unwarranted refusal. It makes it difficult to trust their other decisions.
It is precisely there is a war on the bishop should be allowed to pastor his flock. But clearly, caring will be construed as a political act.
Of course, Hamas probably doesn’t want him there either.
Is it just remotely possible the Israeli officials do not want the good bishops to be kidnapped and to appear on Youtube with their heads being sawed off.
Or maybe they are just big meanies.
The Israelis may have been reading about Anglicans elsewhere. Like Ann Redding. They figure there’s enough Muslim clerics in Gaza already. I mean, Ann Redding is *still* an Episcopalian in good standing, right? Nothing can ever, EVER change that.