How does a society, a nation, undo almost 80 years of history? Of hatred and anger? Almost anyone would say it’s impossible. The terrible events of October 7 last year are steeped in that history, one where Palestinians were driven from their homes and displaced, a new diaspora crammed into refugee camps, which became cities.
And from time to time, the two sides have gone form their seething cold war into hot ones that explode in unspeakable horror as each side sees its warfare as justifiable vengeance. And, of course, there is the clear complicity of the West that tolerated the brutality of anti-Semitism for almost two thousand years.
As in any war, the first victim is truth. Just as many Russians have been schooled to believe that the “special military operation” is not blatant aggression, so many Israelis do not believe that over 41,000 have been killed in Gaza and focus only on their own losses. We tell ourselves: this killing and hatred has to stop – but how? When?
Prayer for the Day
Vindicate us, O Lord, for we believe we have walked in integrity,
But our actions belie our words as we send weapons;
Test our hearts and minds as we say we support peace,
But political interests overwhelm our good intentions.
We know we cannot wash our hands in innocence, O God,
For we have not committed ourselves to justice.
In the name of the One who weeps for the suffering,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
More than 40% of Palestinians support a two state solution, a 7 point rise since 2022 while only 21% of Israeli Jews, a 13% decline, support an independent Palestine.
International survey by Tel Aviv University and Palestinian Center for Peace.
More than 500,000 Israeli “settlers” now live in the Occupied West Bank, which has a population of about 3 million Palestinians, 50,000 of whom are Christians.
Clare Parker, from The Washington Post
Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me!
“Come,” my heart says, “seek God’s face!” Your face, Lord, do I seek.
Do not hide your face from me.
Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help.
Do not cast me off, do not forsake me,
O God of my salvation.
Psalm 27: 7-9