 | It will soon be two years since the terrible, horrendous attack of 7th October 2023 by the terrorist group Hamas on unsuspecting and defenceless Israeli civilians. The perpetrators of this genocidal act showed no mercy and had no respect for young or old. More than 1,200 people were murdered, and over 250 taken hostage. And most countries of the world agreed that the Israeli govenment had a right to respond to protect the lives of its citizens. |
Since then, with a few let-ups, the Israel Defence Force (IDF) have bombarded the Gaza strip, reducing large swathes of residential accommodation to rubble, and destroying hospitals. They have forced huge sectors of the Palestinian population to move within the territory. Tens of thousands have been killed.
How do you fight a war with terrorists who hide among the civilian population? A very difficult task. Modern warfare doctrine allows for the fact that in targeting combattants, there may be "collateral damage" involving civilians. When British troops fought in Afghanistan and Iraq, every effort was made to minimise civilian casualties. Can the same really be said of the IDF?
Moreover, according to United Nations sources, Israel has severely restricted flow of food and medical supplies, including a total blockade of nearly 3 months from March this year of anything entering Gaza. Many people are literally dying of starvation - an entirely man-made disaster.
Supporters of the Israeli government may believe its denials, and as the Israeli government does not allow foreign journalists to enter the Gaza Strip, we have to choose whom to believe. I get my news from the BBC, and you can read more about this whole situation here, if you are willing.
Every time I hear the latest reports on the BBC, I am sickened, and can only bear to listen for a few minutes. I have written to our MP and had a sympathetic response. Our government has blocked arms sales to Israel. But is this enough? There have been words of condemnation. Most politicians are reluctant to use the word "genocide" to describe the Israeli government's deliberate policy of starving the population of Gaza. But I cannot see any more mercy or respect for human life in Mr Netanyahu's policies than in the actions of Hamas. Israel's Government has publicly declared that they will do anything to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state, and are encouraging Israeli settlers to take more land in the West Bank to help make a "two state solution" impossible.
Our Government labelled Hamas a terrorist organisation - absolutely rightly. What description do you think fits the Netanyahu government?
You may ask why I am writing this - shouldn't I be saying something "spiritual" in my blog? The Bible tells us repeatedly that God hates injustice, and is on the side of the oppressed. The prophets of the Old Testament didn't complain only about Israel worshipping other gods. They also railed against injustice and oppression. Look up Isaiah 1:16-17 and 5:7, Amos 2:6-8 and 5:10-15 as examples. As Christians, we are called to be "salt and light" in this world, not hiding our light under a bushel. Throughout history the followers of Jesus have fed the hungry, healed the sick, abolished slavery and brought about legal reforms in our country to protect the vulnerable and safeguard human dignity. We may feel powerless, but we cannot in Christian conscience turn a blind eye. What will you do? Here are some suggestions: get informed about the situation and its history, pray, write to our MP, give money to reputable aid agencies, talk about this with friends and family.
He has told you, o mortal, what is good:
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8 (NRSV)
How do you fight a war with terrorists who hide among the civilian population? A very difficult task. Modern warfare doctrine allows for the fact that in targeting combattants, there may be "collateral damage" involving civilians. When British troops fought in Afghanistan and Iraq, every effort was made to minimise civilian casualties. Can the same really be said of the IDF?
Moreover, according to United Nations sources, Israel has severely restricted flow of food and medical supplies, including a total blockade of nearly 3 months from March this year of anything entering Gaza. Many people are literally dying of starvation - an entirely man-made disaster.
Supporters of the Israeli government may believe its denials, and as the Israeli government does not allow foreign journalists to enter the Gaza Strip, we have to choose whom to believe. I get my news from the BBC, and you can read more about this whole situation here, if you are willing.
Every time I hear the latest reports on the BBC, I am sickened, and can only bear to listen for a few minutes. I have written to our MP and had a sympathetic response. Our government has blocked arms sales to Israel. But is this enough? There have been words of condemnation. Most politicians are reluctant to use the word "genocide" to describe the Israeli government's deliberate policy of starving the population of Gaza. But I cannot see any more mercy or respect for human life in Mr Netanyahu's policies than in the actions of Hamas. Israel's Government has publicly declared that they will do anything to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state, and are encouraging Israeli settlers to take more land in the West Bank to help make a "two state solution" impossible.
Our Government labelled Hamas a terrorist organisation - absolutely rightly. What description do you think fits the Netanyahu government?
You may ask why I am writing this - shouldn't I be saying something "spiritual" in my blog? The Bible tells us repeatedly that God hates injustice, and is on the side of the oppressed. The prophets of the Old Testament didn't complain only about Israel worshipping other gods. They also railed against injustice and oppression. Look up Isaiah 1:16-17 and 5:7, Amos 2:6-8 and 5:10-15 as examples. As Christians, we are called to be "salt and light" in this world, not hiding our light under a bushel. Throughout history the followers of Jesus have fed the hungry, healed the sick, abolished slavery and brought about legal reforms in our country to protect the vulnerable and safeguard human dignity. We may feel powerless, but we cannot in Christian conscience turn a blind eye. What will you do? Here are some suggestions: get informed about the situation and its history, pray, write to our MP, give money to reputable aid agencies, talk about this with friends and family.
He has told you, o mortal, what is good:
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8 (NRSV)
RSS Feed