I sat down once again to try and write something this morning and it’s just agonizing. No matter what I say I have self-doubts because I truly believe Israel is engaging in violent settler colonialism but I also believe the anti-Semitic movements like Hamas and its supporters around the world would wipe out all Jews if they could.
I feel especially close to the plight of the Palestinians because we have Lutheran friends there. I know this colors all my reactions.
I disavow all forms of anti-Semitism.
I also disavow settler colonialism.
I believe collective punishment is evil and that genocide is never self-defense.
I acknowledge my own heritage and my own nationality are deeply complicit in much of this.
I think the public statements of the Biden administration thus far have been entirely problematic.
I have shared links to other voices I value as guiding lights in these dark days, including public statements from Mitri Raheb and William Barber and Michelle Goldberg. I am thankful that when I am at a loss for words these others have offered moral clarity and wisdom in the struggle.
And I recognize that tragically this is not even the worst of the atrocities in the world this year. Our media paid far less attention to Sudan. 5 million displaced this year.
And also Ethiopia.
Human rights atrocities at the same scale, but very little media attention.
I pray because our friends have asked us to pray, because it shows we care.
Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.
I appreciate your thoughts on the war in Israel and Gaza, it breaks my heart to see the carnage and destruction there on the nightly news as well as in the Ukraine, so much suffering for so many people, I will never understand war and the reasons they are started. How does one pray and for what when you feel so helpless and insignificant? I don’t have friends in any of those places but care about Jews, Palestinians, African people and all humans. And here I sit in a comfortable house in a safe city and enjoy such beauty around me.
Dakotah Rae Stone is right. But, we must try to make sense of the senseless on occasion. The History of this conflict throws stones at both sides. WE as human beings must make sure that through our governments and allies that the most humane way to settle this dispute must be found. There has been enough killing over small plots of land. Whatever happened to loving God and loving each other?