The Archbishop of York has said he felt “intimidated” by Israeli armed forces during a visit to the Holy Land this year.
In his Christmas Day sermon, Most Rev Stephen Cottrell said: “We have become fearful of each other, and especially fearful of strangers, or just people who aren't quite like us.”
He recalled being barred from visiting some Palestinian Christians, adding: "We don't seem to be able to see ourselves in them [strangers], and therefore we spurn our common humanity.”
The Archbishop told congregants he was given an olive wood carving of the nativity scene by members of the Bethlehem YMCA, which showed the three wise men being shut out from visiting the Holy Family due to a “large grey wall”.
“It was sobering for me to see this wall for real,” Most Rev Cottrell said. “We were stopped at various checkpoints and intimidated by Israeli militias who told us that we couldn't visit Palestinian families in the occupied West Bank.”
He encouraged congregants to think about the walls “we construct in our hearts and minds,” and urged compassion for our neighbour.
“Our fearful shielding of ourselves from strangers… the homeless on our streets, refugees seeking asylum, young people growing up without hope for the future - means that we are in danger of failing to welcome Christ when he comes,” he concluded.