Jenin
Photo: Majdi Mohammed/AP
by Jonathan Kuttab
So now the “Jenin operation” has ended, leaving massive destruction in its wake. In an overwhelming display of military power, hundreds of armored bulldozers and army vehicles, supported by armed drones, helicopters, missiles(!), and tech support, the Israeli army asserted its dominance and conveyed the message of who is truly in control. Invading the Jenin refugee camp, home to about 20,000 refugees, they killed 12 Palestinians, wounded many others, captured tens of suspects for interrogation, and declared victory, having lost only one soldier as they withdrew. Thousands of Palestinians escaped for their lives, and many were left homeless. As if to emphasize its futility, the operation was followed by a senseless vehicle ramming attack in Tel Aviv by a Palestinian driver and a knife attack wounding eight civilians. Also, another futile barrage of five home-made rockets from Gaza was intercepted, with no injuries or damage except for one piece of shrapnel landing into a wading pool in Sderot.
The response of the international community included the usual expressions of “deep concern” and mild condemnation, with no threat or promise of any action that would be of concern to decision makers. Even Israeli military commentators, who claimed Israeli victory and that the operation had achieved all its goals, have opined that despite victory this operation was ultimately meaningless, and that without what they call a “political horizon” nothing has really changed and events like this will continue to occur.
Particularly disheartening is the response of the churches, which has not been any exception to this. We seemed to be resigned to the continued situation, satisfied with offering our “thoughts and prayers” as do politicians in the aftermath of yet another mass shooting in the United States. We seem to be saying that there is “no balm in Gilead” for the broken children of God in the Holy Land.
It is not that Christians are required to come up with a “magic solution” or formula for solving the problem, but they should have a clear and powerful message as to what elements are required for any proper response to the situation: elements that provide for hope, healing, and positive outcomes. All proposals for a solution or resolution to the crisis should be judged on how they measure up against these elements, inclusive of the following:
• A rejection of violence and militarism. We need to tell both sides, not only the weaker side, that resorting to militarism and violence is not the answer. As we encourage Palestinians to utilize nonviolent tactics, like BDS and appeals to international law, we need to communicate to Israelis that they need other forms of dealing with Palestinians than forever resorting to more and more weapons and greater displays of force. We cannot accept positions or courses of action based on the defeat of or crushing the other side. We cannot accept those who say only military power provides security.
• A commitment to talking to each other. There needs to be an appreciation of all sides. This includes the need to talk to Hamas and the extremists on both sides. Negating or dehumanizing and demonizing significant populations should be rejected.
• A commitment to justice, fairness, and equality. This requires that we also reject unjust structures and institutions, including laws, regulations, and practices that discriminate against one population or unjustly and unfavorably promote the interests of one group at the expense of others. It also requires the rejection of anti-Jewish antisemitism, as well as Islamophobia, and anti-Palestinian bias and discrimination. It requires opposition to unjust structures and institutions which promote racism and apartheid. We should reject double standards and be willing to apply the same criteria to all parties.
• Recognition that we live in a broken, sinful world often means that we must champion positions that may be unpopular, run against customary wisdom, or which appear to be unrealistic and utopian. After all, we need to think outside the box and offer people a vision of peace with justice that runs counter to existing unjust realities.
• Finally, we must resist the despair and hopelessness that allows the unjust status quo to exist and persist. Ours is a message of hope and reconciliation, based on justice rather than power and might.
Christ’s message is one of good news for all people. Both Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs need to hear that message from Christians, loud and clear.
Take Action!
Tell Congress: Condemn Israel’s military invasion of Jenin
(JVP Action) In the early hours of July 3, over 1,000 Israeli ground forces invaded the densely populated Palestinian city of Jenin, including the crowded Jenin refugee camp. In the days that followed, the military killed at least 12 Palestinians, including 5 teenagers, and damaged 80% of Palestinian homes in the area. They attacked Jenin hospital, prevented ambulances from reaching the injured people, damaged the infrastructure and interrupted Jenin's water and electricity supplies, ripped up roads, and attacked journalists.
Palestinian lives, families, and communities are being destroyed because of the unwillingness of U.S. politicians to find their courage and morality. No more.
Write to your member of Congress now and demand they condemn the Israeli government's invasion of Jenin and take steps to end U.S. complicity in Israeli apartheid.
Get Involved!
We invite you to join us in the following events and activities:
Making the Political Sacred in Occupied Jerusalem
FOSNA LA/OC will be hosting Dr. Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena on Saturday, July 8th. Join us on Youtube where we will be live-streaming the event!
July 8 - 17: Palestine
FOSNA Witness Trip
FOSNA's witness trip with Sabeel led by Nyle Fort and Jonathan Kuttab begins this weekend! For 9 days, our delegation will be traveling across Palestine experiencing the reality of joy, resistance, and struggle of the Palestinian community.
Stay tuned for updates, pictures and reflections!
VFHL July Film Salon: My Tree
Using donations that children collected via “little blue boxes,” the Jewish National Fund has planted more than 250 million trees in Israel/Palestine. Ostensibly to “make the desert bloom,” the planting has radically altered the land’s biodiversity.
My Tree follows filmmaker Jason Sherman’s journey to find the tree planted in his name on the occasion of his bar mitzvah. When he discovers that “his” tree is in a forest covering up a Palestinian village destroyed in 1967 – one of many forests hiding scores of destroyed villages – he seeks to learn the motivations behind JNF’s tree-planting enterprise and to understand his own culpability.
Register below and join us on July 16 at 3:00 PM Eastern for a discussion of JNF's tree-planting project and the film with: - Jason Sherman: Jewish Canadian playwright, screenwriter and filmmaker - Seth Morrison: Treasurer, Jewish Voice for Peace Action, who publicly resigned from the Washington DC Board of Jewish National Fund - Mazin Qumsiyeh: author, founder and director of the Palestine Museum of Natural History (PMNH) and the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (PIBS) at Bethlehem University
Weekly
Sabeel Prayer Service. Join Sabeel every Thursday (6pm Palestine) for online Bible Study, discussion, and prayer. Examine scripture in light of the ongoing realities confronting the Palestinian Church and the pursuit of Palestinian liberation.
Wave of Prayer. Subscribe to receive Sabeel's Wave of Prayer, enabling friends of Sabeel around the world to pray over issues of critical concern to the Holy Land on a weekly basis.
Kumi Now! July 9 to July 15: Week 28 - Morally Responsible Investing. Kumi Now is an online gathering every Tuesday (6pm Palestine) with a guest speaking on the weekly topic. Register here.
Israel’s oppression of Palestinians and flouting of United Nations resolutions is ongoing and unwavering. Dozens of international corporations profit off this oppression by contracting with the Israeli government and participating in the construction of illegal settlements. As we mark the beginnings of the BDS Movement on July 9, 2005, here’s what you need to know about morally responsible investment and what you can do so that together we can rise up.