Middle East conflict - Bishop Fehrs: Israelis' suffering does not get through enough
Kirsten Fehrs, the current Chair of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), has called for better protection for children in war zones. "There is less and less consideration for the weakest in wars and conflicts," said the Bishop of the Hamburg and Lübeck diocese at the Advent reception of the North Church. This applies to Syria and Ukraine as well as the Middle East.
Fehrs was affected by the images and reports from Israel and the Gaza Strip. "What does it do to a four-year-old girl who has to watch first her mother and then her father being shot by Hamas terrorists?" The bishop went on to ask: "How does a child in Gaza experience her house and the entire street being destroyed by bombs and her siblings being buried alive?"
Fehrs suggested talking more intensively with young people about the Middle East conflict. "It must give us pause for thought that quite a few schoolchildren primarily see the suffering of the Palestinians and have little understanding of the feelings of Israelis and Jewish people." The main reason for this is a one-sided flood of images in the social media.
It is true that the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza goes to everyone's heart and that every effort must be made to protect the civilian population, especially the children. "But in my view, this demand can only be made credibly if we also stand firmly on Israel's side," emphasized Fehrs. The history of the current events must also be told: "First the terror of Hamas, then the decades-long conflict with many missed opportunities on all sides."
Around 350 guests from politics, business and society were invited to the Advent reception in Hamburg's St. Catherine's Church. Fehrs has been acting EKD Council Chair since Annette Kurschus stepped down in November.
Bishop Kirsten Fehrs
Read also:
- A clan member is punished here
- Will he be convicted as Jutta's murderer after 37 years?
- He also wanted to kill his cousin
- With live stream! Gawkers film dying man
- Bishop Kirsten Fehrs, currently serving as the Chair of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), expressed concern over the lack of consideration for children in war zones, citing Syria, Ukraine, and the Middle East, including Israel and the Gaza Strip, as examples.
- Fehrs was deeply affected by the images and reports of children suffering in Israel and the Gaza Strip, such as a four-year-old girl witnessing her parents being shot by Hamas terrorists or a child experiencing the destruction of her home and the burial of her siblings alive.
- Recognizing the importance of education, Fehrs suggested that we should talk more intensively with young people about the Middle East conflict to ensure a better understanding of the feelings and experiences of all involved, including Palestinians and Israelis.
- The Bishop emphasized that the demand for humanitarian protection in Gaza must be made credibly, implying that it requires standing firm on Israel's side and acknowledging the history of the conflict, including the decades-long confrontations and missed opportunities on all sides.
- During the Advent reception in Hamburg's St. Catherine's Church, around 350 guests from politics, business, and society listened to Bishop Fehrs, who had taken over as EKD Council Chair after Annette Kurschus stepped down in November.
- In addition to addressing the Middle East conflict, Bishop Fehrs also raised concerns about the protection of children in other conflict zones, such as Syria and Ukraine, emphasizing the urgent need to consider the welfare of the most vulnerable during times of war and conflict.
- In light of the complexities of the Middle East conflict, Bishop Fehrs called for increased dialogue and understanding between Israelis, Palestinians, and Jews, hoping to promote peace and resolution in the midst of ongoing tensions and conflicts in the region.
- The Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) and its leader, Bishop Fehrs, have a crucial role in fostering dialogue, promoting understanding, and advocating for the protection and well-being of children and civilians in conflict zones, including the Middle East, where the ongoing tension between Israel and Palestine has resulted in widespread suffering and instability.
Source: www.stern.de
