Israel is cutting off humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Israel has cut off electrical power to Gaza which will shut down the desalination plant supplying water.
No food, no water. So many people, including thousands of children, are suffering from malnutrition and exposure. We're not allowed to say that this is genocide without repercussions. We're not allowed to say that Trump's abominable resettlement plan, supported by Netanyahu is ethnic cleansing. Why is that? The accusation is that such observations are anti-Jewish when for many of us it has nothing to do with religion. The violation of human rights has no borders, no ethnicity, no religion, even though these are so often contributing factors. Yes, this includes the acts of terrorism by Hamas.
Recently I noticed that there is a documentary based on the autobiographical book called I Shall Not Hate by Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish. He grew up in poverty in a refugee camp in Gaza, the son of displaced Palestinians. Somehow he rose above these desperate beginnings to become a respected medical doctor who lived in Gaza with his family and worked in hospitals in Israel treating patients without regard for their origins or religion. During a conflict in 2009 an Israeli tank rolled onto their Gaza street and fired shells that killed three of Abuelaish's daughters and niece. He called a journalist friend in Israel in the immediate aftermath an his grief was broadcast across the country. In total 22 of his relatives have been killed over the years and after that incident he moved to Canada for the safety of his remaining children.
Dr. Abuelaish with members of his surviving family
Years ago we read Dr. Abuelaish's book, the precursor for the documentary, in a congregational book study and I spoke with him on the phone shortly after he arrived in Canada. He now teaches in Toronto. He has been steadfast in refusing to descend into hatred despite what has happened to his family and at the same time committed to justice for Palestinians and accountablity for the deaths of his family members.
We read the book because it is a profound personal commentary on the poison of hatred and while Abuelaish is Muslim it is a reminder for all of us, regardless of religon Jesus, the Jew, exhorted us not to choose retaliation or hatred. . As a Christian I have great admiration for his quest and I continue to pray for an end to the senseless hatred on both sides in the Israel/Gaza conflict.
2 comments:
I remember reading that book in the study you lead. I enjoyed the book and the discussions ( very surprised on some people's ideas!). I was fortunate to hear him later, it was an interesting night. I admire him and also you for leading that study group. I remember that some people thought that reading that book was sending the wrong information out to the community on what the church should stand for.
Your memory serves you well Laurie. One person in particular, a lovely woman in so many ways, got really testy at the suggestion that Palestinians were anything but terrorists. She has since gone to her reward but I wonder what she would think now about her unwavering support for Israel.
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