(If you are new to this chronicle of my family’s struggle in Gaza, you can get caught up easily by starting here and then here. If you want to learn more of the background of Palestine and Israel, go here.) The family is holed up in one room of a relative’s house in Khan Younis. It’s better than a tent or a cardboard box, and they are grateful. They hope this will not turn into another evacuation zone – but... Read more
Helplessness is agonizing. Having to choose between two equally dreadful options might be even worse. If you’ve been following the news out of Gaza at all, you might have heard the word “evacuation.” Or…maybe you haven’t. Mainstream news coverage of the “war” between Israel and Gaza has been woefully inadequate and one-sided. That’s why, as I tell you the story of our family’s journey, I’ll include links to trustworthy news sources. Everything I’m telling you is true, even if it... Read more
The crisis in Gaza keeps deteriorating. Headlines have been filled with superlatives – quoting human rights leaders who have spent years in conflict zones. A few examples: “No words adequately capture the depth of human suffering in Gaza” (Jagan Chapagain, secretary-general of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, IFRC, the world’s largest humanitarian network) “Endless tragedy, hell on earth” (Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees) Death, destruction in Gaza “unprecedented and unbearable to... Read more
“Israel may well wipe out Christian presence in Gaza as part of its genocide, and Western leaders could not care less,” says award-winning Palestinian Christian journalist Daoud Kuttab. Part of our indifference to this truth may be due to ignorance. For readers willing to learn something new, Kuttab offers an enlightening synopsis of Christianity in Palestine, especially Gaza. by Daoud Kuttab, award-winning Palestinian Christian journalist. Reposted from Al Jazeera, December 25, 2023 Since October 7, Israel and its allies have... Read more
Hanan Ashrawi, a Palestinian Christian woman and political leader, wrote on X the other day a series of posts about Gaza, addressed to all of us. It began, Can you take a drink of water without thinking of the people of Gaza going thirsty & getting sick for lack of clean water? Can you eat a meal without thinking of them starving? Can you sleep a whole night in your bed without thinking of them being bombed in theirs? Can... Read more
“I heard the Bells on Christmas Day” has always been one of my holiday favorites. I always loved the contemplative, sad second verse, followed by the triumphal third verse. “The wrong shall fail, the right prevail.” I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace of earth, good will to men. And in despair I bowed my head: “There is no peace on earth,” I said, “For hate... Read more
In the last post, we began considering the question, can Christians support oppressed groups that have risen up violently against their oppressor? I personally know many Christians who had sympathy for the Palestinian struggle two months ago, but have taken a giant step back, now that a Palestinian group has turned to violent means to achieve rights for their people. Others have never backed Palestinian rights because of the “terrorist” stigma. The definition of terrorism and who gets to assign... Read more
As the death toll in Gaza continues to climb (now hovering near 15,000) and the death toll in Israel has actually fallen (now about 1,200), I keep hearing the same sentiment from Christians: “I am praying for both sides,” or “I grieve for the innocents on both sides of the conflict.” I have found that even people who know the history of the Palestinian struggle, and who accept Palestinians’ humanity, frequently fall short of supporting their armed struggle for justice.... Read more
For readers who have been following the insane story of our relatives in Gaza, here is a new installment. For newcomers, you can read the first two parts of what I hoped and prayed would be a two-part series (#1 here, #2 here). Alas, the Israel-Gaza war is still going. It’s more like a massacre than a war – many of you know that. We have lots of relatives in Palestine, but one family is particularly close to our hearts.... Read more
Are you are a compassionate person who is starting to understand what’s really going on between Palestine and Israel? Have you been sitting on the fence, waiting for something to tip you to one side or the other – and 10,000 Gazan deaths was the last straw? Or have you been supporting Israel because it claims to be a democracy – and you’re just not buying it anymore? Or maybe you’ve been a silent supporter of Palestine, afraid to go... Read more
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