Dear Editor,
Krish Kandiah is right to say that we should mourn with those who mourn, irrespective of nationality, and that God loves Jews and Gentiles alike (October en). There are, however, some uncomfortable comparisons to be made between Hamas/ Hezbollah and Israel that need to inform our prayers
On 7 October 2023 Hamas launched a premeditated attack on unarmed citizens at the Supernova festival and in Kibbutz Be’eri taking 251 hostage and murdering 1,200. Israel warned the population of Gaza of its forthcoming military response.
Hamas does not seek a two-state solution but wishes to dismantle the state of Israel. The chant ‘Free Palestine from the River to the Sea’ is consistent with this ambition. Israel does not seek to destroy Gaza, only Hamas. It differentiates between Hamas and the citizens of Gaza in the same way that we did between German citizens and Nazis.
Hamas accuses Israel of being an apartheid state: 20% of Israel’s citizens are Arabs whereas there are no Jewish people resident in Gaza. If Israel was to be incorporated into a Palestinian State, the fate of its Jewish people would be precarious.
Many Israelis bitterly oppose their government’s policy and, as onlookers, we form our opinions about the wisdom, efficacy, and morality of Israel’s sustained military response, responsible for an unrelenting toll of civilians, including women and children.
If, as I do, you support Israel’s right to exist, maybe, like Hezekiah, we need to pray against Israel’s enemies (2 Kings 19:20) as much as for peace.
Yours sincerely,
John Stevens, By email (NB. Not the John Stevens of the FIEC!)
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