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When we lived and worked for some years in the Old City
of Jerusalem I became increasingly distressed about
Christians polarising over the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict.
There were the Christian Zionists who believe that the
return of the Jewish people to the land is a fulfilment
of ancient prophecies in the Old Testament. They are
strongly pro-Israel. An extreme minority among them felt
that the Israelis should take over the Palestinian areas
in order to control the whole of the Holy Land.
Then there were the other side who are so fiercely
pro-Palestinian that they seem to think Israel can do
nothing right.
Both groups are profoundly mistaken in their political
views (I won’t deal with the theology on this occasion,
except to say that I firmly believe God loves both the
Palestinians and the Israelis equally).
Palestinians (and other Arabs) are not all potential
terrorists. Many of them are delightful people with a
fascinating culture who show very generous hospitality.
Although I was General Director of the Church of
England’s ministry to Jewish people, I made some
life-long friendships amongst Arab colleagues. Most
Palestinians simply want to get on with their lives,
free from oppression and poverty.
Jewish Israelis (I specify “Jewish” because a million
Israelis are Arab) are not all war-mongering capitalists
who want to oppress the Palestinians. Many of them are
charming people with an incredibly rich mixture of
cultures from around the world. Most Israelis simply
want to get on with their lives free from the fear of
terrorism and other attack.
Sadly, there is support for terrorism amongst some
Palestinians. Sadly, there is also real oppression of
Palestinians by Israel on some occasions, though don’t
believe everything you hear. It is true that the
Palestinians feel that in 1948 the United Nations
foisted another people group onto their land. It is also
true that, after 2000 years of terrible anti-Semitism
(anti-Jewishness), culminating in the Holocaust, the
Jewish people are absolutely determined to keep their
land, and because Israel is a democracy, that includes
preventing the development of an Arab majority.
Living with Israelis and Palestinians makes it
impossible to demonise either people group. I believe we
should passionately desire peace with justice for them
both. We need to try to enter in to the needs, pain and
fears of both sides. If we polarise and become either
anti-Palestinian or anti-Israeli then we simply make
things worse.
Some time ago I began to circulate an occasional free
email newsletter about the conflict. The title is
“Paradox” which, of course, refers to apparently
contradictory truths. It seeks to take seriously the
needs, pain and fears of both Israelis and Palestinians,
and to ask people to pray on an informed basis.
If you would like to receive this letter please write to
me at
tony@higton.info
Tony Higton - Rector
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