|
"While evangelical
leaders who warned President Bush not to be 'even-handed' in peace
negotiations believe they are speeding up the Second Coming of
Christ, it was Christ who said, 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for
they shall be called the children of God ..'"
By Sherri Muzher,
For Palestine Chronicle
"You mean, there are Palestinian Christians?” I am often asked,
incredulously and with a renewed sense of interest in the Middle
East.
I understand the confusion. All Arabs are Muslims and all Muslims
are Arabs – isn’t that the popular belief? So it’s not surprising
that many view the current Palestinian-Israeli conflict as Muslims
versus Jews.
Unfortunately, there are those who strategically exploit this lack
of knowledge for political gain or to realize “prophecy,” like
Christian Conservative Gary Bauer who organized a letter of warning
President Bush.
Twenty-two evangelical leaders stated in the May 19 letter that any
attempt to be “evenhanded” between Israel and the Palestinians would
be “morally reprehensible.” A few weeks ago, the Rev. Pat Robertson
accused President Bush of imperiling Israel with Road Map, citing
the Bible “which speaks very harshly of those who divide the
‘Promised Land.’”
How many potential Americans believe this? “There are 70 million of
us” the Reverend Jerry Falwell explained to CBS’s Bob Simon on June
8, 2003 in a segment called ‘Zion’s Christian Soldiers.’ ”If there’s
one thing that brings us together quickly, it’s whenever we begin to
detect our government becoming a little anti-Israel.”
Falwell certainly proved his allegiance to Israel when he promised
Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu in 1998 that he and others would
mobilize evangelical churches to oppose steps involving territorial
concessions to the Palestinians. Palestinian evangelical pastors and
theologians later responded to Falwell in a February1, 1998 letter,
“Our task of sharing the love of Christ in this region is becoming
increasingly difficult as our brothers and sisters in the West
openly express sentiments and endorse policies that produce greater
injustice and aggression against Palestinian Christians and Muslims.
Ultimately, Falwell can’t speak for all evangelical Christians but
many believe the Bible promised the Jews the entire Holy Land,
including the Occupied Territories. And some evangelicals also
believe the second coming of Christ is contingent upon the full
return of Jews to Jerusalem.
However, the fact that Palestinian Christians are united with
Muslims in the goal for liberation proves that the conflict isn’t so
much religious as it is nationalistic and human. Palestinian
Christians have been among the most fervent players in the battle
against Israeli occupation. Consider spokeswoman, Hanan Ashrawi; the
award-winning literary critic, Edward Said; Jerusalem Latin
Patriarchate Michel Sabbah; Melkite Reverend/Author Elias Chacour;
as well as revolutionary, George Habash.
Falwell certainly proved his allegiance to Israel when he promised
Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu in 1998 that he and others would
mobilize evangelical churches to oppose steps involving territorial
concessions to the Palestinians. Palestinian evangelical pastors and
theologians later responded to Falwell in a February1, 1998 letter,
“Our task of sharing the love of Christ in this region is becoming
increasingly difficult as our brothers and sisters in the West
openly express sentiments and endorse policies that produce greater
injustice and aggression against Palestinian Christians and Muslims.
Ultimately, Falwell can’t speak for all evangelical Christians but
many believe the Bible promised the Jews the entire Holy Land,
including the Occupied Territories. And some evangelicals also
believe the second coming of Christ is contingent upon the full
return of Jews to Jerusalem.
However, the fact that Palestinian Christians are united with
Muslims in the goal for liberation proves that the conflict isn’t so
much religious as it is nationalistic and human. Palestinian
Christians have been among the most fervent players in the battle
against Israeli occupation. Consider spokeswoman, Hanan Ashrawi; the
award-winning literary critic, Edward Said; Jerusalem Latin
Patriarchate Michel Sabbah; Melkite Reverend/Author Elias Chacour;
as well as revolutionary, George Habash.
Which is it?
Sherri Muzher, JD in Intl. Law is a Media Analyst and Writer. She
is based in Mason, Michigan and contributes regularly to the
Palestine Chronicle
|
