Money donated by British Methodists reaches Gaza projects
26 March 2025
“Thanks to the generosity of British Methodists our appeal has, and continues to, play a part in enabling this vital work to continue. Funding is a sign of love for those caught up in the devastation of 15 months intensive bombing.” How the money you generously donated is reaching vulnerable children and adults in Gaza and the West Bank."
The Methodist Church’s Lebanon and Gaza Justice Appeal was set up to support projects that the Church has been involved with for many years. Supported by All We Can and the United Reformed Church, over twenty thousand pounds has been raised so far.
As part of a recent solidarity visit to Jerusalem, the group visited organisations that have received money from the appeal including the Princess Basma Centre who support children with disabilities. Princess Basma had just set up a satellite clinic in Gaza when the Hamas attacks on Israel started in October 2023. Despite working in dangerous and precarious situations, the Gaza staff’s dedication and resourcefulness has been a testament to their dedication. Staff have themselves been made refugees with many having to leave their bombed out homes, as well as having to find new premises for clinics. Each new challenge has been met with the sole aim of providing basic medical and trauma care for the people of Gaza. The clinic staff have been tirelessly supported by their colleagues based in Jerusalem with frequent video calls and problem-solving as they worked to make the best of the deteriorating conditions in what became a war zone.
Princess Basma reported that in Gaza in 2024 they were able to treat 415 children in the Al Ahli Hospital comprising of 319 children with chronic disabilities and 96 post-acute cases due to the ongoing conflict. In displaced areas, including communities living in tents and shelters, 225 children benefited. Overall, despite the horrendous conditions across Gaza, Princess Basma staff held 4000 therapy sessions. The hospital in Jerusalem has had to suspend planned work to renovate its hydrotherapy pool after a grant secured through USAID was frozen when the new American Government took power and suspended overseas aid. The hydroptherapy unit was a central part of the rehabilitation for young patiens at the hospital.
Thanks to the generosity of British Methodists our appeal has, and continues to, play a part in enabling this vital work to continue. Funding both Princess Basma and DSPR is a sign of love for those caught up in the devastation of 15 months intensive bombing.
Violette Mubarak, General Director of the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre said:
“Where is the hope? This is a question many are asking about the situation in Gaza right now. For me, I find hope every time I talk to our Princess Basma team of 7 remarkable therapists, doctors and social workers, now reunited and working out of our satellite unit at Al Ahi hospital. This work is Hope in Action, through their dedication, resilience and deep act of service to some of the most vulnerable in our community here, children with disabilities and their families in Gaza.
I want to thank all our Methodist friends who through the Gaza/Lebanon Justice Appeal have joined us in this transforming work and contributed to our healing ministry there. It is a celebration of our common humanity and our ability to make a positive difference in our world.
It was our privilege to welcome representatives of the Methodist Church in Britain to our Centre last week on the Mount of Olives here in Jerusalem so that we could pass on our thanks to you all for not forgetting us and instead for helping to sustain hope and our ministry in Gaza. Thank you for remembering us and holding us in your hearts.”
The money you have donated has become all the more important as we have seen recent cuts in international aid1,2,3 and political moves to hinder humanitarian work4 which continue to have a direct effect on organisations like Princess Basma.
Thank you for your continued support for these wonderful, resilient and brave organisations that have been providing medical and trauma care and hope in Gaza and will continue to do so whatever happens in the region in the future.
You can still support the appeal at The Gaza/Lebanon Justice Appeal - The Methodist Church
A Prayer.
We care, O God,
but it is hard to keep seeing the devastation, injury and death of war.
We long for peace, O Lord, but wonder when and how – and if - it will ever come.
We pray, and pray to you,
but our words are drowned out by missiles, guns and the cries of the dying.
Remind us, faithful God,
that our prayers are not passive words, but acts of resistance.
Standing by all who fear and are oppressed,
heartfelt phrases calling for world to inch closer to your vision:
where there is no war,
only justice and peace, not abstract remote concepts,
but the foundation of all relationships.
In the name of the Prince of Peace, Amen
During the solidarity visit, the group visited the village of Susiya in the south Hebron Hills. There they met Ahmad whose father was involved in making the Oscar winning documentary No Other Land. You can read more about their story here: No Other Land - The Methodist Church
Revd. David Hardman, Methodist Liaison Officer, Jerusalem