The Presidium of the Evangelical Mission in Solidarity (EMS), which met today, condemns the rmissile hit on the Anglican Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza (previously known as the “Baptist Hospital”). On Tuesday night, the hospital had been hit by a rocket. Media report many victims among the people who had sought shelter in the hospital. EMS has been supporting this hospital of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East for many years.
Dr. Suhaila Tarazi, the hospital's director, who survived the attack, had appealed to the churches last week, "Please pray with us that this wave of violence will be stopped, as there are no winners in wars. All are losers."
EMS Presidium joins this appeal. It calls for the strict observance of international law and the sparing of civilians in this conflict. EMS Presidium condemns the terror and violence suffered by people in the region since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7.
The Evangelical Mission in Solidarity (EMS) has called on its member churches to work in their respective contexts for an end to violence in the Middle East. According to God's will, war shall not be! (Read the EMS statement on recent developments in the Middle East.) EMS calls for prayer for the victims of violence and for donations for the Ahli Arab Hospital.
Prayer of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East
Heavenly Father,
in a world of confusion, we pray for Your wisdom.
In a world full of pain, we pray for Your healing.
In a world of conflict, we pray for Your peace.
May Your peace fall afresh on all in the Middle East region
And the Peace of Jerusalem inspire all humanity to live in harmony.
We ask this through Your Son Jesus Christ, Amen.
The Evangelical Mission in Solidarity (EMS) is a fellowship of 25 churches and five mission societies in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East, linking 25 million believers across continents. It also includes the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East. The Anglican EMS member church runs the Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza. The hospital sees itself as a service of the small Christian community to the whole society in Gaza.
President of EMS is Rev. Dr Detlev Knoche from the Evangelical Church in Hesse and Nassau. Deputy presidents are Rev. Dr Habib Badr, Senior Pastor of the National Evangelical Church of Beirut, and Rev Anne Heitmann of the Evangelical Church in Baden.
Press contact: Rev. Dr. Uwe Gräbe, Head of Unit Middle East, graebe@ems-online.org, Tel. +49 711 636 78 -37
Donations Account:
Evangelical Mission in Solidarity (EMS)
Evangelische Bank eG
IBAN: DE85 5206 0410 0000 0001 24
BIC: GENODEF1EK1
Keyword: Hospital Ahli Arab
Even though the Gaza Strip is currently under blockade, EMS expects that relief supplies will soon be allowed back into the area and will reach the hospital. The EMS appeal for donations therefore remains valid - and with even greater urgency.