April 22, 2008 4:59PM
Israel at 60: Celebrate and Seek Justice

Top Evangelicals sign joint declaration that recognizes joyful celebration in Israel's creation and notes Palestinian "cries of pain and distress."


Tim Morgan

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

To Whom It May Concern:

After reading your letter Israel 1t 60: Celebrate and seek justice, I must say I am appalled. Either you people do not read your bibles, or you are just plain ignorant of the facts. The only way peace is going to come to the Middle East is when Christ returns. It is not going to happen through man-made efforts. The bible is very clear on this point. Any one who believes that a mere man is going to bring peace to the Middle East is a fool.

For more than 20 years individuals have tried to hammer out a solution to the Arab/Israeli conflict. All have failed. It does not take a rocket scientist to see that no matter how much land Israel gives away for peace, peace will not come to the region until the Prince of peace is sitting on the throne of David.

Ask yourself this question, for almost twenty years the Palestinians occupied East Jerusalem. Why then in all that time did they not set up their fake Palestinian state? The reason is simple: they want all the pie, not just a piece of it. Of course, once they get what they want, they never will of course, peace will not come to the region. They are simply using this setting up of a fake Palestinian state as an excuse to murder innocent people. It is that simple.

By having people sign this petition you are not being a blessing to the state of Israel. Genesis 12:3 says: I will bless them that bless thee and curse them that curse thee.

What do you think signing this petition is gong bring upon you people? Do you truly thinking you are doing God’s will by cursing his people? You are truly diluted if you think you are.

Joel 3:2 says that God will one day judge all people who have scatter his people ( the Jews) and divided their land. This petition you are having people sign is helping to scatter the Jews and divide their land. In reality, you are not helping any one, you are simply a hindrance. You may think you are doing the right thing,. What you are really doing is what the devil has whispered into your ear.


Posted by: Dave Martin at May 13, 2008

I too am mourning the atrocities committed against the Palestinians (and yes, Israelis have suffered too). But if Israelis consider themselves God's chosen, and Christians believe them to be so, where is the fruit? I see 60 years of bloodshed upon bloodshed. The Palestinians are prisoners in the world's biggest open prison, held captive and frequently brutalized by the army of a nuclear power, the most highly armed small nation in the world.

Posted by: Mel Cameron at May 13, 2008

Your right Dave, has state of Israel been a blessing unto the world--no they haven't and neither do they fit prophecy. Neither does that Gen. 12:3 apply to them either. The Jews of the Old Testament are not the Jews of the New Testament and Christ stated as to whom they were. Their father was a murder and a liar from the beginning (Cain) and Cain's father was the devil 1 John 3:12. They hated Christ and they hate Christians and this great land that has been a blessing to others. Talmudic -Judaism is of Satin--that's fact. You all need to read the Protocols of Zion by Theodore Hertzl. The origins of Leninism, Marxism and communism came from it. You all need to do alittle more study, folks. We have become the tail-not the head, for Esau has come to regain his heritage from Jacob!! Zionism is the real terrorist and that is where it originates and where does that originate---I think you would be surprised to find out that it's God's chosen people, according to the modern church?

Posted by: John at May 14, 2008

This petition is a DISGRACE!

I think it's mind boggling that all these so called influential leaders have such little knowledge of G'd's profetic timetable. How they will be surprised when they see the last 20% of G'd's profetic word will be fullfilled. WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF THIS TODAY, and they start wining about the sorrows of the Palestinians... And all the lies that come with it.

I can not believe it. Such little knowledge about the prophetic and the spiritual. Can't they see that the Lord had stood up again for His Land and His People? Or is it that they don't WANT to see it.

The 64.000 dollar question will be 'how are these leaders going to respond' when Yeshua will reveal himself TO and IN 'ancient' Israel.

I'm glad to see that in the Netherlands a growing number of 'christian' leaders is re-discovering the roots of our faith and the rightfull position of the ancient people of Israel.

WE are CRAFTED into the Holy Olivetree, NOT the other way around. The G'd of Israel is our G'd, read the story of Ruth and learn from this Mohabite woman.

Remi Visser, The Netherlands

Posted by: remi visser at May 17, 2008

I would like to quote Derek Prince. He wrote in his book 'The Destiny of Israel and the Church': Rulers and nations will determine their own destiny by how they respond to what G'D does for Israel, … G'D has revealed clearly in His Word that He intends to restore Israel, and that He requires all other nations to cooperate with His purpose. Any nation that rejects the revelation of G-D's Word has, in effect, rejected G'D Himself, and must suffer the consequences.

B.Loonstra, The Netherlands

Posted by: B.Loonstra at January 30, 2009

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