The recent years of escalating conflict across the Middle East have not only destroyed homes and communities, but has left many battling with mental health issues from profound trauma, stress, and ever-present sense of insecurity. This spiralling mental health crisis needs urgent intervention – and we and our partners are responding, helping young people as they work to rebuild their lives and build a more hopeful tomorrow. Some have bravely shared their stories with us.

Across the Middle East, the ongoing conflict has brought immense suffering, uncertainty and loss. Yet even in the midst of fear and destruction, our Christian partners there remain steadfast in their commitment to serve their neighbours.

Thousands of children in Gaza have sustained life-changing injuries in the recent war. Thousands more have chronic conditions and disabilities that have deteriorated over the last two years because they’ve been unable to access the medical support they need. A team of specialists from the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre are providing vital treatment and rehabilitation therapies.

‘The peace of God calls us to look beneath political rhetoric. It invites us to confront the human realities of suffering and dispossession. It calls us to resist confusion or complacency when the world declares ‘peace’ yet turns away from injustice.’

Saleem Anfous - Project Manager, Musalaha

Joseph Hazboun, the Regional Director of the PMP, sent us this update from Jerusalem, warning of the catastrophic situations now facing many there, including the rapidly-shrinking Christian communities, but also reinforcing the PMP’s faith and commitment to keep serving.

“As winter sets in, the hardship grows even more severe, more than half of Gaza’s population is living in tents or beneath the remains of destroyed homes, many of which have already flooded from the rain…” Our partner the DSPR give an update on the situation in Gaza and their continuing work on the ground there.

“Until I crossed the Israeli checkpoint to enter the West Bank, my mind of a European who’s grown up with the privilege of free movement in my own native country could not compute what it means for a Palestinian to live under strict movement restrictions…”

Jamie Eyre, CEO of Embrace, speaks with Peter Nasir, General Secretary of East Jerusalem YMCA about the Christian community in the West Bank, the reality of life under occupation and the work of the YMCA.

The Olive Tree Project is a powerful and practical way for UK Christians to stand in solidarity with Palestinians who are facing ever-increasing restrictions, land seizures and oppression due to the Israeli occupation. We spoke to Muhanad Al-Qaisy, director of the project…