“ Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy “ Matthew 5… Jesus’ words
Israel, according to the Old Testament (Jewish holy Scriptures) are God’s people. Israel became a state in 1948. In order for Israel to begin having Jewish people live in Israel, they deported/killed over 700,000 Palestinian people who were living there. It is called the Nakba. Many of these families remain in refugee camps. These events were just after the 6 million Jews were killed by Germans, and when the West turned their eyes away from that genocide. What is the West doing today ?
In 1967, there was the six day war between Israel and the Arab nations that surround it. Israel has occupied the West Bank of the Jordan River, and the Gaza Strip ( it is on the Mediterranean Sea ) since the end of that short battle. For the last 50 years, Israel has taken over more and more of the occupied land for Jewish people to live in settlements. They now have settlements in Hebron, a Muslim city that has historical importance in Jewish, Muslim and Christian history. The Old City has been welded shut for Muslims, and hundreds of Israeli soldiers guard the members of the settlements. The Israeli soldiers arrest many children and young adults on suspicion, and keep them locked up with no charges and no trial. The government also does not allow Palestinians to build houses, and they demolish houses that the local people have lived for decades.
One of the most demeaning activities that is done to the Palestinians are the checkpoints. They are made to stand in long lines, and must do everything that the soldiers say that they must do. Men are told to pull their shirts up, to show that they do not have a bomb strapped to their body. Palestinians have to go through these checkpoints every day.
So, why does the Israeli government/military treat the Palestinians so badly ? They fear that the terrorists will kill them. And the citizens of Israel have suffered much death at the hands of terrorists. So, they built a wall to lessen the ability for terrorists to enter Israel proper. They have a large security apparatus, but they live in fear. There are checkpoints, security cameras and metal detectors everywhere. So, why treat all people as if they might be a terrorist ? Do the Israelis feel more secure in the ways that they have to secure their own safety. There must be a better way ? And very few Palestinians are terrorists .
The state of Israel is not the people of God. There are many secular Israelis who live in Israel. In the Old Testament, the people of God often sin, and go away from God. God invites them back, if they straighten out their lives together and with others. But, only a percentage of the people who live in Israel and the settlements are religious. So, what are the humane reasons for the Israelis to treat Palestinians as human beings. The United Nations has declared that the settlements are illegal. No one should be treated the way Israelis are demeaning the Palestinians.
Christians like to ask , “ what would Jesus do ? “, in other situations. What would Jesus do in Hebron today ? Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God, from the prophet Micah.
Fred Redekop
Ponder Anew 