FOR the past few months we have been seeing images of destruction and bombardment in Gaza.

Thousands of Palestinians have been killed and there are still some Israeli hostages being held in Gaza.

However, these problems did not start on October 7, 2023, the day the hostages were seized by Hamas.

There is a long history and Britain is intimately involved since it was a British Prime Minister, Arthur Balfour, who promised the Jews a national state in Palestine, in 1917. 

On Monday, April 29, at 7pm in the Boniface Centre, local churches in Crediton are organising an information evening to look at what is going on  in Gaza and the West Bank.

Both Israeli and Palestinian communities are suffering enormously from the effects of the present conflict which has been going on so long.

Many attempts have been made to obtain a peaceful resolution in which both sides find justice and a chance for reconciliation but none have been successful so far.

In the face of this, many people in this country feel helpless in knowing how to respond and to support both communities in securing peaceful co-existence.

The evening will include online presentations from Christians in Jerusalem, as well as input from local people who have visited or served as peace workers in the West Bank.

There will be plenty of time to ask questions and contribute to the discussion.

It is hoped that the evening will lead to ideas for possible ways forward, based on the principles of justice, peace and reconciliation.