Friday 15th March 2019 Christchurch, New Zealand
Following the terrorist attack in Christchurch, New Zealand on 15th March 2019 where fifty people were killed, Australian author, speaker and social activist wrote these words.
The Longest Good Friday
“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
— — — — — — —
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.
Blog
On Her Terms update February 2019
Welcome to the first On Her Terms update of 2019. This year marks 30 years since the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This landmark in children’s rights has remained a hugely important reference point for those working for justice for children and young people.
Blog
Extreme Altitudes Climbing Kili for Amos Trust
“Climbing Kilimanjaro has been on my bucket list for some time. At 5,895 metres it is both the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world.” Neil Irving writes about ticking-off one item from his bucket list to raise funds for Amos Trust.
Blog
Provoking miracles Millie Rose shares her experience of Nicaragua
18-year-old Millie Rose, who first visited Nicaragua in 2015, is spending 4 months working in CEPAD’s office before starting an International Development course at University. We asked her to share a little about her impressions of CEPAD’s work — particularly after the recent flooding and unrest.
Blog
12 Ways in 12 Days Reinvigorating our support for Palestine
“I’ve been guilty over the last few months of shirking my responsibilities towards a cause that is very close to my heart. On the eve of International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, I’ve decided to renew my commitment to this cause, to seeking justice and equal rights for everyone who calls the Holy Land home.” Sarah Baron writes about how we can reinvigorate our support for Palestine.
Blog
Walking To Jerusalem Blisters, hope and other facts on the ground
“The idea was beautiful and crazy. The logistics alone would be an organisational nightmare. The risk assessment would run for pages. It would be a five-month, 3,300 kilometres trek across eleven countries with mountains, rivers and seas to navigate. And then there was no guarantee that the walkers would even be allowed to cross the border into the occupied West Bank, let alone reach Jerusalem.” Amos trustee Robert Cohen writes the forword for ‘Walking To Jerusalem’ – Justin Butcher’s book about his experience of walking from London to Jerusalem as part of Amos Trust’s ‘Just Walk To Jerusalem’ project in 2017.
Amos friends
CONTACT US
Amos Trust
7 Bell Yard, London
WC2A 2JR
UK
Telephone:
+44 (0) 203 725 3493
Email:
[email protected]
Registered Charity No.
1164234
AMOS SOCIALS
