Who Would Jesus Kill?

 A statement from the Churches for Middle East Peace: 

Monday, Oct. 9 statement 

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) continues to grieve the devastating loss of life in Israel/Palestine. As the numbers of those killed and injured climb, we ask people of faith to remain committed to praying and working toward an immediate end to the violence. Yet, cessation of conflict will not automatically bring justice. Without attention to the core systemic issues of the war and the ongoing occupation of Palestinian territory, there will be no real peace. At a time when the rush by governments will be for more military responses, CMEP prays for the de-escalation of violence to prevail. We urge an escalation of diplomatic efforts by the United States, through the United Nations, and other regional bodies. Too many people are already grieving the loss of loved ones. 

CMEP calls for an immediate end to all violence and calls for restraint from all parties. CMEP is deeply concerned by the prospect of an Israeli protracted military offensive and possible ground invasion into Gaza that could result in considerably more deaths and destruction and a broader regional war. Half of the 2.2 million people of Gaza are children. 

CMEP abhors reports from the Israeli government that they have shut off power, water, and fuel to the people of Gaza. These actions constitute collective punishment, and international law designates such actions as illegal and unconscionable. The lack of water, electricity, fuel, and access to medical supplies will have a disastrous impact on millions of civilians in Gaza, especially those who need immediate medical attention. We urge the resumption of power, water, and gas for the people of Gaza. CMEP calls for the protection of access to humanitarian aid and the cessation of conflict so that emergency medical care can be offered. 

The call from Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu telling Gazan residents “to leave” is completely unrealistic given that all border crossings in and out of Gaza are closed, and leaving is not an option for the more than two million people living there. CMEP calls on Hamas to do no harm and to release all hostages held in captivity. CMEP continues to hold in prayer the families of those held hostage and the families of all who have been wounded or lost their lives already in the violence of the past few days. CMEP calls on the international community and the United States to stop supporting further militarization and pursue every alternative means to protect all Israeli and Palestinian civilians. 

The United States has long failed to serve as a constructive partner in helping to secure a just and lasting peace in Israel/Palestine. During heightened tension, CMEP implores the U.S. government to refrain from steps that only exacerbate the violence and increase the risk of expanding war into the broader region. Core issues of the conflict must be addressed, including but not limited to: ceasing the expansion of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories; ending impunity given to settlers when they attack Palestinians, their homes, their lands, and religious sites; reversing de facto annexation of Palestinian land; ending the blockade of Gaza while ensuring the legitimate security needs of Israelis; ensuring freedom of access and movement for Palestinians. These are among numerous other issues that the United States and many in the international community have not held Israel accountable for decades. 

While mourning the tragic events happening in Gaza and Israel, CMEP remains committed to prayer and the belief that peace is possible even in these devastating times.

AOC, responding to the Israeli energy secretary’s announcement they were cutting off water and electricity to Gaza, said:

This is collective punishment and a violation of international law. 

We cannot starve nearly a million children to death over the horrific actions of Hamas, whose disregard for Israeli, Palestinian, and human life overall could not be more clear. 

We must draw a line.

Still not as harsh as the CMEP.

I know it’s harsh, the demand for peace in the face of outrages. Hamas is butchering people to outrage the world. Israel is releasing pictures of the victims, for the same reason. And we are all being played.

I’m Niebuhrian enough to understand that societies cannot be moral, because morality requires sacrifice, and you cannot ask others to sacrifice for your morality. In blunt terms, that’s what Hamas did; at least if you want to give them some excuse other than rank brutality and almost pure evil. The excuse is that the circumstances of Gaza (one way or another) caused Hamas to do this: to plan it and execute it and keep it going. Which means they were imposing their morality, their sense of justice (which, to be clear, it isn’t), on others. An extreme example, but not a wrong one. The number of residents of Gaza is reportedly 2 million, or so.  Only a tiny percentage of that number is Hamas, I understand. Yet look at what they have done to the people of Gaza; the rest of the people. And the people of Israel, people of the world in the wrong place at the wrong time. Imposing their morality, or, if you prefer, their idea of morality, on others.

(It may be a morality, but it ain’t ethical.)

So what about the CMEP? Well, first, they aren’t a government or government officials, like AOC. So they get a bit of leeway, at least from me. Because they aren’t demanding, aren’t in a position to force; and if you feel the least bit pressed by their statement, well, you should examine your own soul. And if you don’t feel that way; same suggestion.

Calling for peace is always hard. It either sounds like a commandment, or a suggestion. And it always offends somebody. And if your right eye offend thee, pluck it out, right?

I’m sure to even mention this makes me an “Israel hating leftist activist.” These discussions are always this polarized. There are always bright lines which must not be crossed. Things that should not be discussed now because we are busy… killing other people.

If your right hand offend thee….

But societies don’t have right hands, do they? And cutting them off only means something to the people “cut off.” The rest of us thank them for their sacrifice, and think ourselves good people to do so. Or just think well of strangers fighting to avenge…strangers other members of the society.

Or we can consider all the people dying.

In response to AOC’s tweet, there was this response:

America didn't supply food to Germany and Japan during World War II. After their unconditional surrender, however, the US flooded both countries with humanitarian aid. 

Demand an unconditional surrender by Hamas, @AOC . That would end the siege of Gaza.

Thry were also almost literally beaten into submission, as sovereign governments. And then occupied for several years. Neither country existed afterwards as a an adversary to its neighbors. Israel was founded by displacing Palestinians who were, for decades, considered nationless and so insignificant, if not expendable. And not legitimately entitled to a homeland of their own. Japan and Germany decided they needed lebensraum and access to more resources. Neither country espouses those goals, now.

The wisdom of aid to Germany and Japan was to NOT breed the resentment created by the Armistice of WWI. But will insisting Hamas unconditionally surrender leave the status quo? Because that’s the problem that has to be solved.

And no, more violence is not going to solve it.