|PIC1|"We cannot change the whole world but we can change the world for one person at a time," said the Chief Executive of BibleLands, Nigel Edward-Few on Saturday.

Speaking at a BibleLands service of celebration and thanksgiving in central London, Mr Edward-Few and other presenters outlined the challenges facing millions of people in the Holy Land.

"There is a lack of opportunity for many, a lack of care for those with special need, massive unemployment, poverty and a lack of basics," he told the congregation.

"I just want us to reflect on the ease of our lives and the ease of our journeys compared with those in Israel, in the Occupied Territories, in Gaza. Each country has its own needs. Each has its own challenges."

The reality of the conflict was brought into sharp relief by the absence of the event's main speaker, Suhaila Tarazi, director of the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza, who was refused a visa to the UK by Israel despite appeals from BibleLands and the Bishop of Jerusalem.

Instead, Tarazi's address was read out to the 200 people gathered at St Michael's church.

In it, she told of the "appalling" conditions in Gaza, where Israeli air and sea blockades have left 1.5 million people struggling with severe shortages in food, medicines and other basic necessities.

The Ahli Hospital continues to treat primarily poor people as part of the Diocese of Jerusalem's humanitarian mission in Gaza, where 80 per cent of the population is dependent on aid.

"We are in desperate need of your different means of support and prayers," she said in her address. "We must continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Now is the time to open the doors of opportunity to all Palestinians."

She asked Christians to pray for an end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories and the Gaza blockades.

"Let us also pray for independent Palestinian state to be alongside the State of Israel, for Arabs and Jews to live in dignity and mutual respect and for peace and justice in the Middle East and the whole world," she said.

The service included a sermon preached by the Rev Dr Stephen Sizer, Vicar of Christ Church in Virginia Water, Surrey, and author of 'Zion's Christian Soldiers' and 'Christian Zionism: Road Map to Armageddon?'.

On the conflict in the Holy Land, he commented, "Sadly, some of our brothers and sisters in Christ have been part of the problem rather than the solution."

Dr Sizer preached the sermon on Luke 10 and the parable of the good Samaritan, reminding Christians of the need to regard all people as neighbours.

Mr Edward-Few urged Christians to get informed on the conflict in the Holy Land, go on pilgrimage to the region and support organisations like BibleLands that are working towards reconciliation and peace in the region.