“In many countries, those who are standing up for Palestinian rights and calling for justice, now find themselves having draconian laws implemented against them, which is why we must not stop.” Chris Rose writes that many Palestinians feel that they are living through the Longest Good Friday.
Draconian Laws: The people in Gaza are being forsaken by world governments, who watch as they are deliberately starved and as more and more war crimes are committed against them. Photograph: Ahmed Dader — Gaza, March 2025
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For as long as we have been travelling to Palestine, we have heard Palestinians describe their experience as being like living through the Longest Good Friday.
Christian tradition says that one of the last things Jesus called out as he was being crucified on the cross was, “My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?”
The people in Gaza are being forsaken by world governments who watch as they are deliberately starved and as more and more war crimes are committed against them. In many countries, those who are standing up for Palestinian rights and calling for justice, now find themselves having draconian laws implemented against them.
At the start of the war, we decided not to write poems or reflections based on what was occurring — not because we felt there was no place for them — but because we wanted to showcase Palestinian writers, and books such as Exhausted On The Cross by Najwan Darwish.
I wrote this over 10 years ago — it appears in our book, ‘Words of Hope’.
A Meditation for Good Friday
Chris Rose
The events of Good Friday remind us
That we are called to stand in solidarity with:
Those who are abandoned
Betrayed and disowned
Those who are labelled as disloyal,
Blasphemous or subversive
Because they call for justice, peace and compassion
The victims of show trials
Of political fixes and of leaders too weak to lead
Those who are mocked
Spat on and beaten
Those who are condemned by public opinion
And against whom retribution is required
Those too weak to carry their cross
Who cry out in despair and shame
“My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?”
Good Friday reminds us:
Each time we support someone in need,
Each time we stand up for an ideal,
Each time we speak out against injustice,
We stop people from knowing what it means to be forsaken
At this time, we must continue to do all we can to stop the people of Gaza from being forsaken. Next weekend is Run the Wall (25th-27th April). It is a very simple act of solidarity that everyone can join. In many ways, it has never felt more important.
“The contact with the Young Entrepreneur’s programme has been an eye-opener — I was able to realise my potential of becoming an entrepreneur and financially independent.” As part of our autumn Don’t Stop Now! Appeal, read about one young woman from Burundi who is receiving training and support from our partner New Generation. Amos’ On Her Terms Lead Karin Joseph writes.
Charities, trade unions, religious groups, and civil society organisations speak out against Israel’s plans to annex Palestinian land. Over 20 organisations have released a statement against Israel’s continued plans to formally annex up to 30% of West Bank. A joint statement.
“During these times, Karunalaya staff came to us, to hear about our situation. They told us not to be afraid, and I was encouraged by their advice. This comforted us very much.” As we launch our autumn Don’t Stop Now! Appeal, read about one young 14 year-old girl and her family in India who are receiving support from our partner Karunalaya. Amos’ On Her Terms Lead Karin Joseph writes.
“White supremacy is not only found in extreme acts of horrific violence such as the recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor or Tony McDade in the USA. Racism is insidious, and the reality is that we all operate within the structures of white supremacy.” Amos Trust’s Karin Joseph writes about the Black Lives Matter movement.
“As a group of UK-based humanitarian, development, human rights and faith organisations working to support the rights and welfare of the Palestinian people, we are gravely concerned by the Israeli Government’s threat to annex more Palestinian land.” A joint statement from UK charities.
“On 18th June we received the desperately sad news that our good friend, partner and inspiration Gilberto Aguirre (El Profe), had passed away. He had been rushed into hospital for emergency throat cancer surgery in the middle of May and unfortunately, complications arose after this.” Garth Hewitt writes of the life of Gilberto Aguirre from CEPAD in Nicaragua.
Amos Trust
7 Bell Yard, London
WC2A 2JR
UK
Telephone:
+44 (0) 203 725 3493
Email:
[email protected]
Registered Charity No.
1164234
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