On Wednesday I attended an extraordinary and sweet event at the Sindyanna of the Galilee Visitors’ Centre. Twelve women who have learned beekeeping from legendry bee keeper and community activist Yossi Aud were meeting for the final session of their beekeeping course. The course was facilitated by Sindyanna of the Galilee and MA’AN Workers Association. After a delicious lunch, the group were presented with their certificates.

Pope Francis’ last plea for peace Many stories have been told about the piety and pastoral faithfulness of the late Pope Francis, but the story of his almost nightly conversations with Father Romanelli and the people of Holy Family Church in Gaza gives insight not only into Pope Francis and his priorities, but also makes visible the almost total lack of intervention by other world leaders.

Today, Gethsemane stands in East Jerusalem, occupied territory since 1967. But this is not just a tourist site or historical monument.

‘Protect civilians. Facilitate aid. Release hostages. Renew a ceasefire.’ This is the final line in an unprecedented press release issued by heads of OCHA, UNICEF, UNOPS, UNWRA, WFP and WHO on 7th April 2025. The whole press statement makes really grim reading, detailing the urgent and overwhelming humanitarian need in Gaza.

‘Protect civilians. Facilitate aid. Release hostages. Renew a ceasefire.’ This is the final line in an unprecedented press release issued by heads of OCHA, UNICEF, UNOPS, UNWRA, WFP and WHO on 7th April 2025. The whole press statement makes really grim reading, detailing the urgent and overwhelming humanitarian need in Gaza.

At the beginning of February there is a Jewish holiday called Tu Bi Shvat. It is a tree planting ceremony made popular through the 20th century, and has all sorts of ecological and environmental overtones, and celebrates the goodness of God and the fruitfulness of the earth. In Um al Kheir this year Tu Bi Shvat was used as a cynical landgrab by some settlers from the nearby Carmel settlement.

It is a tradition here in St Andrew’s Jerusalem and Tiberias to hold a service of worship on St Andrew’s Day and to invite friends and partners. The Scots House Hotel https://www.simplebooking.it/ibe2...