Br Peter Bray FSC, Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University, says the Hamas attack is a "watershed moment that could have a long-term impact on life here in the Holy Land".

While he disapproves of violence as a response, he can understand why Palestinians have reacted the way they did at the weekend.

He cites the Israeli military's and the settlers' ongoing and increasing violent attacks on Palestinians over recent months and provocative moves by settlers around Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem during the Jewish feast.

"With the extreme rightwing government in Israel and the stated priority of the expansion of settlements in the West Bank the pressure on Palestinians has been enormous," he says.

More Palestinians have been killed by the military and settlers this year than any year since 2006, says Bray.

Forgotten people

Bray says there's been "growing frustration among Palestinians that the international community has forgotten about them and let Israel do whatever it wants".

He mentions Israel's steady expansion of settlements, which are forcing Palestinians off their land or out of their houses.

The continued pressure on Palestinians with home demolition has left them very aware that they are being driven off their land, Bray notes.

He also says many settlers make it "very obvious" that they want to take the whole land and do not want Palestinians around.

"The Palestinian Authority has not been able in any way to contain what Israel has been doing, so the Palestinian frustration has boiled over through Hamas, who claim to be defending what remains of the Palestinian land and its people," Bray explains.

He says the Israeli military is now embarrassed because Hamas fighters were able to take over several military bases and settlements near Gaza and capture soldiers and civilians as hostages.

Now there are real fears the Israeli military will strike back with significant violence in retaliation, he says.

"They began to do that today and who knows where that might lead. I think this is a watershed moment that could have long-term impact on life here in the Holy Land."

Based on the available information, Bray says another university executive council meeting will decide what to do for the rest of this week.

"We are unsure what is going to unfold today and tomorrow," he says.

After an emergency council meeting, the university decided to teach online.

"It is impossible to get in or out of Bethlehem at present, so our students from Jerusalem- about 40 per cent of our student population - are not able to get here.

"However the campus will be open and staff members from Bethlehem will be expected to be in their offices tomorrow."

While all his students and staff are alright so far, Bray is asking for prayers.

Source

• New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference

Bray describes his tenure as a blessing and the most challenging job of his career.

"I have never been in a place where it is so obvious that what we are doing is worthwhile," he told the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference Communications Advisor.

He says the complexity of the university, the context in which it exists, and the unpredictability of so much that happens make it a very challenging and difficult job.

Over the New Zealand summer, Bray undertook a speaking tour of New Zealand, engaging with Catholics about the lives and conditions of his students and ordinary Palestinians.

Bethlehem University, established in 1973, was the first registered university in the Occupied West Bank and is the only Catholic university in the Holy Land.

Br Hector Hernán Santos González from Paraguay has been elected as the new Vice-Chancellor and will assume full responsibility on 1 January 2024.

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De La Salle Brother, Peter Bray, received the doctorate for two reasons.

One was for embracing the values and principals of education in the Catholic tradition.

The other, for his significant contributions to education and educational administration in Australia and overseas.

Bray became the eighth Vice-Chancellor of Bethlehem University in late 2008.

Since them he has committed to making the University an "oasis of peace" for young Palestinians.

Established in 1973 as a joint venture between the Vatican and the De La Salle Brothers, Bethlehem University is the first registered university founded in the West Bank.

It is also the only Catholic university in the Holy Land.

Although fewer than one percent of Palestine's population is Christian, Bray's commitment and leadership has ensured quality higher education for all, not just Christian students.

Bray speaks of challenging times for West Bank students who lose everything - except, as one told him, their education.

"I'm particularly aware of the suffering our students are experiencing in just existing, so I really admire the fact that their resistance is expressed in a nonviolent way by just getting on and doing the ordinary things," Bray says.

Br Bray accepted the honorary doctorate from ACU on behalf of his inspirational students.

"By ACU recognising Bethlehem University through me is showing the young people of Bethlehem University that they are not forgotten, and that is a really important part of helping to keep hope alive," he said.

"I'm deeply, deeply grateful to ACU for enabling us to keep hope alive among our students."

ACU Vice-Chancellor and President Zlatko Skrbis called Bray's leadership approach inspirational.

"Despite the challenges he faces at Bethlehem University each day, he is always mindful of putting the present and future needs of his students first," Skrbis said.

"His commitment to education in the Catholic tradition is bound by the duty he feels to help people to realise their full potential.

"His ultimate vision to instil hope in his students is inspiring and should be at the heart of the mission of all educational institutions.

"ACU is proud to bestow the Doctor of the University on such a humble leader."

Bray's honorary doctorate also recognises his instrumental role in creating ACU's Master of Education Leadership, which was established while he was Director and CEO of the Wellington Catholic Education Centre.

From Taranaki to the Holy Land

Despite his 40-plus years in senior roles in Catholic education, Bray's personal experience of high school was the complete opposite.

He eventually completed secondary school, attended Sydney's Macquarie University, then obtained a Masters degree from Massey University and a Doctorate at the University of San Diego.

He was a principal of several Catholic secondary schools, before becoming the Vice-Chancellor of a Catholic university.

Of all his education postings, Bray says being Vice-Chancellor of Bethlehem University was the most difficult and the most rewarding.

Source

• ACU