The Archbishop of Canterbury has met and prayed with Palestinian Christians, in a significant meeting at Lambeth Palace on Tuesday, 10th September.
Human rights lawyer, Dalia Qumsieh, and campaigner Mays Nassar joined Justin Welby. Reverend Dr Munther Isaac joined remotely via video link. He was unable to travel, due to the recent closure of the Allenby Bridge between Jordan and the West Bank.
The Archbishop heard about distress of the Palestinian Christian community in West Bank cities such as Bethlehem and Jenin, where residents experience assaults and land encroachments on a daily basis.
Emphasis was placed on an incident in July which saw the Palestinian Christian Kisiya family exiled from their ancestral holdings in Bethlehem's Makhrour Valley.
Archbishop Welby expressed his grave concern about the thousands of Palestinians, including Christians, who are detained in Israeli military prisons without any formal charge, sometimes for years.
The Archbishop affirmed the value of human life, and the need for both Israeli and Palestinian citizens to live with safety, dignity, and freedom.
The visit was managed by Sabeel-Kairos, the Council for Arab and British Understanding, and FairSquare.
It culminated in an evening prayer service in the Crypt Chapel, where Archbishop Justin prayed for the visiting delegates, Palestinians and those living in and around regions of conflict.