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On the November 1, 2005 WAWA blog I first introduced the Florida Palestine Solidarity Network. FPSN is an eclectic group of Floridians committed to raising awareness of and helping to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine, supporting Palestinian liberation, self-determination and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. When Israel became a state in 1948, it was contingent upon upholding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Imagine what a wonderful world it would be if they had actually done it!One of the founders, a USA Christian married to a Palestinian Muslim wrote the following
I understand that many Christians believe that in order to receive God's blessing they must support Israel and all their deeds. This includes looking the other way when innocent lives are ended and entire populations are destroyed by decades of oppressive occupation. Many Christians fully defend Israel's recent invasion into democratic Lebanon where hundreds of innocent civilians have being killed and injured, nearly a million people so far have been displaced and are now refugees, and the entire country is being torn apart.
Recently, CNN has reported on the "Armageddon effect." One very important item that failed to be discussed is the new powerful lobby created by Pastor John C. Hagee of San Antonio, Texas called Christians United for Israel (CUFI, http://www.cufi.org/). The lobbing group includes Jerry Falwell and Pat Robinson. They have stated that they attempt to sway political opinion in the United States in favor of Israel, much in the same way AIPAC (The American Israel Public Affairs Committee) does with their political and economic clout. Their website declares their aim, "The purpose of Christians United For Israel (C.U.F.I.) is to provide a national association through which every pro-Israel church, Para-church organization, ministry or individual in America can speak and act with one voice in support of Israel in matters related to Biblical issues." CUFI seeks to implement its theology as American foreign policy.
Ironically, an important part of their theology foresees millions of Jews being killed in a nuclear war. Gershom Gorenberg, in his book The End of Days, points out how this variant of Christian theology is really anti-Jewish. It supports Israel in order to hasten the end of the world, to bring about the war of Armageddon, and the deaths of two-thirds of all Jews.
The London Review of Books website (http://www.lrb.co.uk/) provides an in-depth and factual study of the pro-Israeli lobby. It shows that the Israeli government's actions and deeds put their own people in danger through their excessive use of force instead of using diplomacy and respect for their neighbors. This oppression fuels terrorism. If you beat a dog long enough eventually he'll turn on you and bite. Palestinians are not dogs. They are people, the same as you and I wanting to live in peace, security and freedom. They want to able to provide for their families with food, health care, education and all of the good things of life. However, the Israeli government's policies have contributed to an explosive atmosphere.
The modern-day nation of Israel was created after the Holocaust. In part, western nations sought to establish a safe haven for Jews seeking protection from persecution. No one, including the Palestinians, blames or begrudges the Israelis wanting to live in security. We all want to live in safety. Yet the formation of the state of Israel involved stealing property, houses, and farms from Palestinians already living in the land. Many Palestinians died in the process, and millions were forced into camps. Would any American stand by idly while their homes and property were being seized and while their neighbors were herded like cattle into stalls?
Most Palestinians have not opted for a violent response. Consider Elias Chacour. He is the Palestinian Christian Archbishop of Galilee and the first Israeli citizen to be appointed this position. In his book, Blood Brothers, he tells of the time, when as a boy, his father went out and bought a lamb, something done for only the greatest of occasions. The lamb would be the center piece of a great feast to welcome the arrival of their new neighbors coming from Europe. The small boy's father explained it in this way, "Our Jewish brothers have been badly hurt and frightened. They can not go back to their homes in Europe, and they have not been welcomed by the rest of the world. So they are coming here to look for a home." The Chacour family extended true and traditional hospitality.
Yet, many American Evangelicals took the human element out of the equation. They thought the creation of the modern-day state of Israel was part of God's game. They claimed that it fulfilled prophesy. Their interpretation of prophecy is rooted in the theology of John Nelson Darby, known as the father of dispensationalism. Dispensationalism's political wing is known as "Christian Zionism." It finds __expression today in groups like CUFI.
Sympathy for an oppressed people continues to wane as daily existence for Palestinians grows worse. Life in Israel now resembles apartheid South Africa. Every part of daily life for Palestinians is controlled by the Israeli government, including going to the doctor. Should American Christians advocate racial segregation and land confiscation?
I believe there is an alternative approach to Christianity. Would Jesus advocate people being interned simply for their ethnicity? Would Jesus approve of bombing innocent civilians? Would Jesus take a family's home and kick them to the curb? I believe in a Christianity that is inclusive. After all aren't we taught in Sunday school that we are all children of God? Like the song says, "Red and yellow, black and white. They are precious in his sight." Yet our actions would deem otherwise. Jesus said, "Do onto others as you would have them to onto you." Respect for all life follows in the steps of Jesus.
These days my heart truly breaks as I scan the papers. Where is the outrage? Have we become so desensitized to death that we feel nothing at the news reports of armies killing innocents in order to promote the prophetic agenda of a segment of Christianity?
Since when did God say to turn an eye away from injustice and sit silent? Israel wants to live in peace, free from fear. But so do the Palestinians. Until all life is considered equal, justice will go by the wayside. We in America must learn to see, understand and respect our neighbors' and brothers' perspective. Maybe if we were to question the why of our actions instead of preemptively striking, we might gain back the respect America once held as a world leader.
Diana Hasna
http://www.geocities.com/radicalcalendar
