Peace in Israel and Gaza

In last week’s mailout we included a brochure from Central Coast Friends of Palestine about a film being screened on Sunday 1^st June at Gosford Uniting Church. I was surprised to receive an unsigned email from someone simply saying “Supporting Hamas? Can’t be serious!”

The sender is entitled to their opinion, but I was disappointed to witness once again what seems to be a modern way of thinking: that to support Palestine is to support Hamas; to support Palestine is to reject Israel or be antisemitic; to support Israel is to be against Palestine; to support Israel is to be anti-Muslim; and on and on it goes.

I condemn Hamas and Hezbollah and all who resort to terrorism. I grieve for the innocent people of Gaza, especially as they are prevented from receiving food essential for their survival. I grieve that Israelis aren’t able to live in peace because of the hostility coming from their neighbours. I pray for my Christian brothers and sisters in the whole region. Personally, I am both pro-Israel and pro-Palestine, which is why I hope for a 2-state solution. I don’t expect you to agree with me on any of this, but I do expect you to allow me to speak and not to label me.  

I can’t help but recall Jesus’ command in Matthew 5:44: "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you". Jesus said this in his Sermon on the Mount. The traditional Jewish understanding of love focussed on your community - your friends. It was a narrow view. Jesus broadened the meaning of love: to love even your enemies and to pray for them. That included the Roman overlords, King Herod and his court, the Samaritans, and Gentiles. To “love your enemy” never overlooked sin and evil, but it did encourage people to see fellow men and women as people made in the image of God. It dared to think that love could conquer evil, and that persecution could fade in the face of prayer.

Regardless of where you stand on the Israel-Palestine issue, may I encourage you to pray. Pray for all those who are working for lasting peace in the Middle East. It can’t come soon enough!

With hope and joy,

Rev. Frank (Van Der Korput), Supply Minister