"Don’t relax because of a ceasefire. Keep up the flame, keep up the pressure for justice."
A blog from Andy Dye – Director of Global Relationships
During my recent visit to the Methodist Liaison Office in Jerusalem I was able to meet with some partners in the West Bank, in the shadow of the ever present separation barrier.
Providing aid
We met with Nadar, head of the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees DSPR during lunch just outside Bethlehem on the West Bank. It was inspirational to meet with him, as he shared some of his own story as a voice for ongoing non-violent action for peace and justice in Palestine.
DSPR have been providing aid to people in Gaza with the help of Methodists in Britain through the Gaza-Lebanon Justice appeal.
By the middle of 2024 they had provided medical services to over 28,000 people, Psychosocial support to 15,000, Food items to 16,000 and some cash support to 6000. This has continued in to 2025. Nadar was keen to share his thanks, "Thank you Methodist Church in Britain for the great support and impact it has had.”
In the first few days of this fragile ceasefire, we also talked about the need to keep responding.
Gazans have returned to their homes, which are piles of rubble, but there is nowhere else to go. People are camped, by their old home, often without shelter. As winter approaches DSPR are shifting to work on winterisation, providing people with the basics of shelter, warm clothing and shoes.
They are also looking to provide some power in provision of solar panels. This is with an eye to a hopeful future of reconstruction.
The are also continuing to care for their own staff, dedicated professionals who themselves have faced the trauma of the last two years.
Treating children with disabilities in Gaza
We also met with Violette Mubarak (centre), General Director of the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre The Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre.
For over 60 years the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre has been a leading institution for the treatment and rehabilitation of children with disabilities keeping its doors open to vulnerable children and their families through wars and times of unrest.
During the conflict, their small outreach team in Gaza (now 8 people) have repeatedly had to move, recover when buildings have been damaged and respond to the trauma incurred on children, even while in a place of trauma themselves.
You can read more in their latest newsletter.
Violette said, "Sometimes I have been on the phone to members of the team for hours", hearing them and listening to them sharing in their difficulty, to provide them with support and hope that they are not alone.
"My work with these children moves my focus away from the relentless daily challenges of war, towards building hope and solidarity, united with the people we serve."
Al Zahraa, Occupational Therapist, September 15th 2025
The solidarity of Methodists in Britain has enabled this work to continue, and with all the trauma caused by war, both physical and mental, it has only increased.
The team at Princess Basma shared the urgent needs now for their work in Gaza, which reflected the situation of malnutrition that is present.
Urgent needs in Gaza:
- To sustain the successful model of multidisciplinary rehabilitation services for children with disabilities and their families, now including a nutritionist. As a member of the WHO Health Cluster, our unit recently received vitamins and supplements for children. This is a welcome beginning, but the results of malnutrition can be long lasting and further expert support is needed.
- To sustain a new program of treatment, psychosocial support and training with 11 children with disabilities and their carers at a home run by sisters in a local church in Gaza. An assessment has been completed by our Social worker and in addition to services, the needs there includes assistive devices and resources.
- To enhance the psychosocial services given the unprecedented levels of trauma and distress amongst Gaza’s children. We are looking to work with psychologists offering workshops and theatre in Gaza and Hebron
How you can help
Please keep the work of DSPR and Princess Basma Centre in your prayers and please give to the Gaza- Lebanon Justice appeal.
Visit
You can also take up the opportunity to understand the context in the Holy Land better by visiting in person. Learn more about how you can be part of a unique visit.