Top Evangelicals sign joint declaration that recognizes joyful celebration in Israel's creation and notes Palestinian "cries of pain and distress."
The nation-state of Israel will have its 60th birthday celebration on Thursday, May 8. This will be a milestone event in Middle East history. It comes at a time when Israel faces near-daily rocket attacks from northern Gaza.
While lovers of Israel from around the world will celebrate, there are others who will observe the anniversary and also maintain a deep commitment to justice for Palestinians.
Two individual Christians Ben White and Philip Rizk recently composed:
A Joint Declaration by Christians on Israel's 60th Anniversary This statement says in part: "...We recognise that today, millions of Israelis and Jews around the world will joyfully mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the state of Israel (Yom Ha'atzmaut). For many, this landmark powerfully symbolises the Jewish people’s ability to defy the power of hatred so destructively embodied in the Nazi Holocaust. Additionally, it is an opportunity to celebrate the wealth of cultural, economic and scientific achievements of Israeli society, in all its vitality and diversity.
We also recognise that this same day, millions of Palestinians living inside Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and the worldwide diaspora, will mourn 60 years since over 700,000 of them were uprooted from their homes and forbidden from returning, while more than 400 villages were destroyed (al-Nakba). For them, this day is not just about the remembrance of a past catastrophic dispossession, dispersal, and loss; it is also a reminder that their struggle for self-determination and restitution is ongoing.
To hold both of these responses together in balanced tension is not easy. But it is vital if a peaceful way forward is to be forged, and is central to the Biblical call to “seek peace and pursue it” (Ps. 34:14). We acknowledge with sorrow that for the last 60 years, while extending empathy and support to the Israeli narrative of independence and struggle, many of us in the church worldwide have denied the same solidarity to the Palestinians, deaf to their cries of pain and distress.
To acknowledge and respect these dual histories is not, by itself, sufficient, but does offer a paradigm for building a peaceful future. Many lives have been lost, and there has been much suffering. The weak are exploited by the strong, while fear and bitterness stunt the imagination and cripple the capacity for forgiveness."
A number of influential evangelicals have signed this declaration, including:
Brian McLaren, author/pastor
Bob Roberts, NorthWood Church
George Brushaber, Bethel University
Brother Andrew, author of Light Force and God's Smuggler
Joel Edwards, EAUK
The full list is here.
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Posted by Tim Morgan on April 22, 2008 4:59PM
Comments
I, too, join this declaration in support of reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. Such an undertaking can truly only be accomplished when both sides lay down their hostilities and prejudices and embrace one another in true Shalom--the Peace of God; the Peace of Jesus the Messiah. I join in prayer and support for ministries and outreaches all over the world who work actively in this mode of outreach. I also pray that we in the West might not look at either the Jews or Palestinians in a collective sense, that one side is better than the other. May we aim to see both sides as Jesus would--with compassion and love--especially towards those Jews and Palestinians who are followers of Christ. "There is nither JEW NOR GREEK, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."--(Gal. 3:28-29)
Posted by: Adam R. Hunter at April 24, 2008
"I also pray that we in the West might not look at either the Jews or Palestinians in a collective sense, that one side is better than the other. May we aim to see both sides as Jesus would--with compassion and love--especially towards those Jews and Palestinians who are followers of Christ."
Wow i guess we should not pray for the muslim palestinians. how dare they fight for their rights to compensation and the right to get their land back , from "god's Chosen people". after all jews being "chosen" and superior have every right to steal, confiscate and plunder Palestinian property just like they did in ancient times by wiping out and committing genocide on the original inhabitants of the area, the tribes and descendants of canaan. but i mean who cares since they are "chosen" they can do what ever they like.
Posted by: anonymous at May 6, 2008
I pray you mind your own damn business. Clean up the child rapists, wife beaters and whore chasers in your pews. Of course you will have to start at the top (preachers, reverends, priests) and work your way down through the ranks.
Next you can target someone else besides the Jews considering they aren't the ones roaming the earth blowing up buildings and airplanes.
One more thing, these so called "Palestinians" didn't start referring to themselves as "Palestinians" until a few Jews bought land in the swamps and dust bowls and turned them into something useful. Something the Muslims seem to lack the ability to do.
They would rather turn paradise into swamps and dust bowls.
I'm truly sick of you busy body, morally bankrupt, left leaning pukes that call themselves Christians. MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS! IT SHOULD BE DIRTY ENOUGH TO KEEP YOU BUSY UNTIL THE SECOND COMING!
Posted by: Judith Stefchak at May 11, 2008
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