Palestinians are people too

As I’ve been following the news of the devastating tragedy in Gaza where almost 12 000 Palestinians, including about 4700 children and about 3100 women, and 1200 Israelis (including non-Israelis in Israel) have been killed, I’ve noticed how the world is polarized between pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian supporters.

As a Christian my stance on this issue has to be based on the Bible, and more specifically on the teachings of Jesus. I therefore condemn any and all acts of violence; that means both the Hamas attacks on 7 October 2023, as well as the Israeli ongoing attack on Gaza since then. This is in accordance with the teachings of Jesus who said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also” (Matthew 5:38-39), as well as His lifestyle – When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23); besides non-retaliation being His lifestyle, it was also an example for His followers to follow – To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21).

I am amazed at how many Christians are blindly standing with Israel, not taking their ongoing oppression of the Palestinian people into account, and not even grieving the loss of the 12 000 Palestinians. Palestinians are people too. They aren’t animals who can be slaughtered at a whim without us even blinking an eye! Palestinians are people created in the image and likeness of God, are loved by Him, and are people for whom Jesus gave His life. They bleed red blood and cry tears when hurt, like everyone else. It is a sin to dehumanise the Palestinian people and treat them even worse than animals.

As Christians we do not call for the annihilation or destruction of Israel, but neither should we condone their actions. Most pro-Israel supporters stand with Israel more than God and the prophets have ever done. Besides their ill-treatment of the Palestinian people, many Israelis are atheists, most have outright rejected Jesus, their Messiah, live contrary to the law of Moses, and still claim the right to be called the chosen people!

How then did God and the prophets treat Israel throughout history when they sinned? Here are some Biblical examples:

• Exodus 32:9-11 “I have seen these people,” the LORD said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people. Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”
  But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. “LORD,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?
• Deuteronomy 28:15-19 If you do not obey the LORD your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you:
  You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the country.
  Your basket and your kneading trough will be cursed.
  The fruit of your womb will be cursed, and the crops of your land, and the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.
  You will be cursed when you come in and cursed when you go out.
• Nehemiah 9:29-30 “You warned them in order to turn them back to your law, but they became arrogant and disobeyed your commands. They sinned against your ordinances, of which you said, ‘The person who obeys them will live by them.’ Stubbornly they turned their backs on you, became stiff-necked and refused to listen. For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you warned them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you gave them into the hands of the neighboring peoples.
• Isaiah 50:1-3 This is what the LORD says:
  “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce with which I sent her away?
  Or to which of my creditors did I sell you?
  Because of your sins you were sold; because of your transgressions your mother was sent away.
  When I came, why was there no one?
  When I called, why was there no one to answer?
  Was my arm too short to deliver you?
  Do I lack the strength to rescue you?
  By a mere rebuke I dry up the sea, I turn rivers into a desert; their fish rot for lack of water
  and die of thirst. I clothe the heavens with darkness and make sackcloth its covering.”
• Matthew 23:37-39 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” (Jesus)

These prophecies clearly portray God’s grief over and anger with Israel. He loved Israel, but always rebuked and punished Israel for their sin and rebellion against Him, and their oppression of others. If you stand for Israel, are you standing for Israel according to the way God and the prophets stood for Israel, or according to the modern day sentimental idea of standing with Israel? It would be more appropriate to call Israel to repentance, rather than just stand with them.

As stated before, Palestinians are people too. Let us treat them as such!

Let us therefore pray for God to intervene in this situation to bring justice and healing to that broken land!