Two years on from October 7th, where do we find ourselves?
The world has changed profoundly since that dreadful day in 2023. But as we remember the 1,200 people murdered, the pain remains raw. We stand in solidarity – and shared mourning – with Jewish communities worldwide. Our grief is only compounded by last week’s appalling events in Manchester.
It can be hard to make sense of this fragile, shaken world. The past two years have brought almost inconceivable levels of human suffering. Our hearts remain with the hostages, trapped now for twenty-four months in horrendous circumstances. It is easy to feel powerless as we wish them and their families great strength and courage.
We have been devastated too by the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza. Our shared humanity makes these losses unbearable; and we know too that many more are now also facing famine. Such a humanitarian catastrophe is truly devastating. We pray that the day comes soon when all in the region find peace and safety.
At this time, we must remain guided by our values of compassion. Division may be deepening around the world, but we simply cannot afford to forget what ties us all together, nor allow our pain to be exploited by those who spread hate. We have to commit to a world of freedom and dignity for all.
It is only by standing together with others and staying true to our values that we can forge a better future. That must be our responsibility, two years on from October 7th.
