It is with sadness that we wish Canon Anthony Ball a fond farewell as he steps down as an Embrace Trustee, and one time Chair. Anthony shares with us some final thoughts on the importance of Embrace’s transforming work, the blessings of giving and receiving, and the sustaining hope which is fostered by standing in solidarity with our Christian sisters and brothers in the Middle East.

The 27th of January marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp. It is also Holocaust Memorial Day- an opportunity to remember the millions murdered in the Holocaust under the Nazis, but also in the genocides that followed – in Rwanda, Cambodia, Bosnia and Darfur.

This Christmas, we bring you a blog from Embrace Trustee and Dean of Bethlehem Bible College the Rev. Dr Munther Isaac reflecting on how intimately Palestinian Christians can identify with the Jesus whose birth we celebrate at Christmas.

In our first blog of this Advent season, the Very Revd Canon Richard Sewell writes of fragile glimmers of hope for peace in Israel/Palestine, and why we must hold on to them.

Middle East expert Dr Harry Hagopian reflects on Gillian Mosely’s film, the Tinderbox, screened by Embrace in October.

The olive tree is a universal symbol of peace. It is also a powerful symbol of Palestinian rootedness in their land.

‘The sad truth is that if we remain in our echo chambers, we stunt our growth as human beings. It’s a choice.’

Embrace partner and friend Rev Dr Nadim Nassar, Director of the Awareness Foundation reflects on the urgent need for international action to save Syria, and the wider region, from humanitarian catastrophe and why sanctions only hurt the poor.

Embrace’s very own Matt Adcock reviews ‘Once Upon a Time in Iraq’ - an account of the war told by civilians and soldiers from both sides of the conflict.