Anti-Semitism

Is questioning Israel’s devastating attack on Palestine’s Arab populations evidence of anti-semitism? The United Slates has a longstanding inflexible policy of supporting Israel, and challenging any voice raising a serious question about its policies or practice. We are about the only friend Israel has as it struggles to survive in a very hostile neighborhood. Certainly Israel has a right to be secure within its borders. But anyone raising any question is labeled as an antisemite. But is questioning Israel’s occupation of land that is not theirs, the refusal to consider any two-state solution, the blockading of the Gaza Strip, the destruction of homes long- inhabited by Palestinians, the massive bombardments of an almost helpless non-Jewish population, a wall built on land not theirs, the free-reign of settlers displacing long-term residents—and much more, really anti semitism?

Congress and every American administration seems to be controlled by a powerful Israeli lobby. Beyond that, however, stands evangelicalism. Pasting together a few Bible verses, these conservatives believe that securing all of Palestine as a Jewish homeland will lead to the conversion of the Jews and the welcoming of a returning Christ. The conversion of the Jews to Christ is the reason for their support. Whatever else, this is clearly a bold case of religious bigotry.

Recently, however, there have, arisen other Christian voices critical of the Israeli bombardment of Palestinians and the seizing of the homes of a group of East Jerusalem Palestinians that ignited the current spate of rocket attacks resulting in Israeli bombs and the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians, including children. Two significant Protestant denominations have issued a joint statement critical of Israel and the United States government for the multi billions given each year in support of Israeli policies, much of it in military aid..

Here is a paragraph quoted from that long statement.

Over the last two weeks, we have witnessed the escalation of tensions in Jerusalem, now expanded to Gaza, with a sense of profound concern and horror. What began as peaceful demonstrations opposing the anticipated eviction of several Palestinian families from the Shaikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem has rapidly become violent, with more than 300 people wounded by Israel in the city, and a deadly assault on the people of Gaza, with twenty-four people killed—among them nine children—the result of Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

Recently other groups of Christians have called for a two-state solution to this long-standing stalemate. “Churches of the Middle East,” for instance, has a long history calling for a two-state solution. And now President Biden has suggested that his total support of Israel needs to be rethought.

Certainly history has been replete with the tragic results of anti-semitism. We must beware lest current policies lead down that dark passageway. There is abundant evidence that hatred of the Jews exists, and too easily the support of Palestinians could become hatred of Jews. “Never again,” must mean“ never again!” And yet equating Israel’s political claims with anti-semitism is both unreasonable and dangerous. Peace may never come to that part of the world until both sides negotiate an acceptable two-state policy. That involves mobilizing the United Nations, beginning with the United States, to bring enough pressure on both Hamas and Israel to make it happen. And that pressure must begin with an evenhanded approach demanded by the only nation that can bring it about.