After an initial emergency evacuation, the hospital is back in operation.
“The hospital will continue to be open,” the bishop emphasized, while also not hiding the dramatic situation due to a lack of supplies. “They’re running out of water and supplies.”
“We are determined — not only the Anglican Church, but all the churches — we are determined to keep our institutions open, to keep our places of worship, our churches, open as places of refuge, especially to those who are disadvantaged.”
Naum was not drawn by journalists’ questions to place blame for the explosion on one side or the other. “We are not military people to decide [what happened]. We are not journalists to analyze; we are not politicians to decide [what to do],” he said. “What we are saying here is that what happened in the hospital is a crime. Let there be an end to the violence and let there be a just and lasting peace.”
The Anglican bishop consistently reiterated the message: “As heads of the churches, we have said very clear that we are against any violence against any civilians or innocent people on any side of the divide. Let people see what is happening, even beyond the hospital, and they will draw the conclusion that enough with this war, enough with these lives that have been lost on both sides,” he said at the press conference.
Wednesday was also the day U.S. President Joe Biden arrived in Tel Aviv. The president reiterated full support for Israel but also affirmed that the solution to the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be the two-state solution.
“What I expect from President Biden and every world leader,” the Anglican bishop said in explicit response to a question, “is that they stand for peace and justice in this land, to end the conflict, in accordance with U.N. resolutions and international law. We want them to be a voice for peace and reconciliation, for the sake of everybody — Israelis and Palestinians.”
Naum also confirmed the willingness of all the churches of the Holy Land to face every challenge together and to share every step.
On the horizon is also another day of fasting and prayer on Oct. 27, called for today by Pope Francis.
Born and raised in Italy, Marinella Bandini has been a professional journalist since 2008. She works for several news agencies and online newspapers in the Catholic space. Currently based in Jerusalem, she collaborates with the Custody of the Holy Land.