“One way or another,” Netanyahu said at a news conference following the horrific attack on a supposed IDF designated “humanitarian area,” with food and medicine. As usual, the majority of the dead were women and children as well as the hundreds injured.
“One way or another.” Really? Unfortunately, it has been with Israeli forces bombing refugee camps, tent cities, and designated safe places. Almost lost in this carnage was the carnage of October 7 when Hamas forces indiscriminately killed men, women, and children. Even in war, there must be some proportionality.
Hate breeds hate, and violence breeds violence. The violence in Gaza has spilled over to the West Bank occupied by Israel. Opposing state sanctioned settler violence against Palestinians is not being anti-Semitic. It’s recognizing the difference between unjust government policies and a people, many of whom are opposed to such policies.
Prayer for the Day
Like the prophets of old, we cry for justice and mercy,
Realizing that justice is more than vengeance;
In our hearts we know, O God, that the cycle of hate,
Leading to so much violence, must be broken.
Expand our imaginations, our visions of peace,
So all may live together, part of the same world.
In the name of the One who calls us to peace,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Political change, new leadership on both sides and extreme external pressure from the US will likely be needed in order to reach any form of compromise in the future. …But for now, Palestinians in the West Bank will continue to bear the brunt of violence carried out by increasingly emboldened settlers with close ties to politics and the military.
Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) Report
Israel faces “the most significant domestic political and social crisis in decades, due to legislation promote by the Netanyahu government and aimed at dramatically weakening Israel’s judiciary and potentially rescuing Netanyahu from three corruption trials he faces.”
Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper
But what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8