Dear Christian Friends,
Judaism reminds us that “a season is set for everything, a time for every experience under heaven…[including] a time for war and a time for peace (Ecclesiastes 3: 1; 8). Tragically, days before Christmas and a new year, Israel continues to find herself in wartime. Attacked by Hamas on October 7, the Jewish State remains engaged in a powerful, defensive military response with the goal being to eliminate Hamas. President Biden has made it clear that he supports this goal, standing with Israel and for the safety and security of her people. As Christmas approaches, I want to thank each of you who has supported the Jewish State. So many of you have locked arms with us and been bright lights for the Jewish community during this very dark time. Thank you.
While I know you join me in praising the heroic members of the IDF and the progress being made in Gaza, we must not forget that this is war. It is brutal. Israel’s soldiers are being killed, her residents continue to be threatened, and many of her people remain hostages of Hamas. Innocent Palestinians are dying as they, too, are hostages of Hamas, forced to be human shields, their deaths used as propaganda by the terror organization. As we track the slow but steady progress of the IDF and have moments when we feel like cheering the demise of Hamas, let us never forget the senseless death and destruction that comes with the elimination this evil force. While victory is essential, it is nothing to cheer about.
Sadly, the joy of the holiday season is tempered by the battle against Hamas, a battle that is far from over. The number of dead will continue to grow. The damage of war will continue to spread. While we agree that Hamas must be eliminated, I understand that the ugly reality of this defensive battle might be causing the bright light emanating from so many of you in the Christian community to dim.
I experienced this dimming last Shabbat when Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, who is the leader of the Catholic Church in Israel, the Palestinian territory, Gaza, Jordan and Cyprus, shared a letter stating:
Around noon today…a sniper of the IDF murdered two Christian women inside the Holy Family Parish in Gaza…One was killed as she tried to carry the other to safety. Seven more people were shot and wounded as they tried to protect others inside the church compound. No warning was given, no notification was provided. They were shot in cold blood inside the premises of the Parish, where there are no belligerents. Earlier in the morning, a rocket fired from an IDF tank targeted the Convent of the Sisters of Mother Theresa.
The initial “reports” of an IDF sniper murdering these women and injuring others came from WAFA, the official “news” organization of the Palestinian Authority. An arm of the Palestinian government, WAFA has a history of sharing propaganda that helps support Hamas, including reports which have since been proven false that Israel bombed the al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City back in October.
Within no time, the unfounded allegations that two Christian women were murdered by an IDF sniper was picked up and spread across social media. The many critics of Israel pounced on Cardinal Pizzaballa’s letter, sharing it far and wide. There was no questioning the legitimacy of the allegations, no asking for evidence. Israel was once again demonized. As she was, I began to receive texts from some of you asking me “why did Israel do this?” My response: “Let’s remember the false reports about the hospital back in October. We need to take a breath and allow the facts to come out.” This offended some of you, as why would I question Cardinal Pizzaballa, a respected Catholic leader?
Tuesday evening, reputable news outlets, including The Christian Post, reported:
The IDF has refuted claims made by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem that an IDF sniper killed a mother and daughter who were sheltering at the Holy Family Parish Catholic church compound in Gaza. After an internal review, the IDF released a statement saying that its soldiers did not target the church and were not responsible for any casualties at that church. The statement added that a separate incident did occur…The review found that on December 17th, in the early afternoon, Hamas terrorists launched a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) at IDF troops from the vicinity of the church…The IDF directs its operations against the Hamas terrorist organization and not against civilians, regardless of their religious affiliation. The IDF takes many measures to mitigate harm to civilians in the Gaza Strip…These efforts stand in contrast to Hamas, (which) does everything in its power to endanger civilians and exploits them, as well as religious sites, as human shields for their terrorist activities (For more information click here)
As Christians and Jews, we share the wisdom of the Prophet Isaiah, who warns us: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who present darkness as light and light as darkness, who present bitter as sweet and sweet as bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20) Hamas has filled all of our lives with darkness. They have done this by lying, intimidating, and riling up ignorant individuals and groups on college/university campuses, government institutions, and city streets across the world. In this darkness, it can be too easy to call evil good and good evil. When this happens, Isaiah teaches us that “truth stumbles in the public square and honesty cannot enter.” (Isaiah 59:14) As Christians and Jews, as people of morality, we cannot allow truth to stumble. We must realize that Hamas has spread the fog of war across the planet. They are using this fog to distort reality and turn us against each other. They want Christians to blame the Jews. They want Jews to get angry at Christians. They want us all to overlook that fact that Christians are being tormented and killed in countries like Nigeria, Sudan, and Iran by other radical Islamic terror groups. This is all part of Hamas’ plan. It takes the focus off them and gives them more time to spread their evil. We must not let this happen.
As you prepare to celebrate Christmas, I ask that you reflect on your tradition’s values of truth, honesty, love, hope, redemption, and peace – values our faith communities share. In doing so, I pray that when it comes to Israel and her battle against Hamas, you take a breath and give time for truth to rise to the surface. Allow honesty to enter. Remember, that together, we are united in giving no space for evil and clearing the way for love – something that both Israelis and Palestinians crave and deserve. It is so hard to feel love in the midst of wartime, but let us find it together. Arm in arm, soul next to soul, we can rise above the fog of war and begin to hope for a new day, for redemption from the violence, and the arrival, in due time, of peace. May it be God’s will.
Wishing you all a meaningful Christmas
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