israel's blockade

It's been the prayer of many people over recent weeks - that Israel's relationship with the Palestinians would somehow change, and the gruesome events of the seas around Gaza would not result in more and more violence.

Well today (17 June) maybe a prayer has been answered.

The Israeli cabinet has decided to ease some elements of it's trade blockade of Gaza. In basic terms, the Israeli decision sees the amount of products allowed through checkpoints increased.

The new Israeli-approved product list includes all food items, toys, stationery, kitchen utensils, mattresses and towels. Construction materials - which had been restricted, and meaning often that bombed or damaged buildings couldn't be repaired - are also to be allowed, but but only under international supervision.

Israel has previously argued such items could be used by Hamas to build weapons and fortifications.

So how to pray as this situation develops ?

* Could we pray for the Israeli Government ? This decision took two days, which does suggest some dissent in the Government. Lets thank God for this breakthrough but ask for courage amongst it's leaders to follow this decision through.

* Lets pray for a complete lifting of the blockade. Many good are still restricted and for other goods, the process is some onerous it makes trade still impossible. Lets pray for the International community to keep going with it's pressure and challenge on this issue - which right now seems to be having an effect.

* Could we pray for the Palestinian leadership ? Despite fears to the contrary, there has been a certain amount of restraint after the events with the Gaza flotilla. Now as Israel makes a move to the ease the blockade - lets pray for Palestinian leaders that they may be able to respond in kind.

* Lets continue to pray for the ordinary people of Israel and Palestine. That they may be protected, that peace might break out and that reconciliation may take place in this most troubled area.

"So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."

2 Corinthians 5:16-20

Andy Freeman, 17/06/2010