I was recently approached by The Telegraph, a newspaper in the United Kingdom, to comment on the Church of England’s recent decision to receive and engage with Kairos Palestine II, among other Palestinian Christian documents.
It is exhausting (and very, very, dangerous), this constant distortion (telling lies) to frame any criticism of Israel as antisemitism. But you are being generous to the CofE when you say "....the Church of England merely receiving and engaging with..." Synod didn't even 'receive' it. During the debate, the motion was changed from 'receive' to 'hear' because they were worried 'receiving' might imply agreeing with it.
Thank you, Rev. Isaac. A beautifully written, and spiritually generous, writing.
Yes, we must refuse to be silent in the face of oppression, and the manufacturing of controversy. I think more people are understanding that even the most erudite and humble efforts to differentiate spiritual Judaism from Zionism are politically attacked and twisted for Zionist interests.
"The problem is support for oppression, occupation, apartheid, and now genocide," indeed!
And, within occupied Palestine, the apartheid from which the genocide ensued was/is legally maintained by systemic Jewish supremacy, comparable to what White supremacy was in South Africa - except that no one is "allowed" to name it or comprehend it. Many Westerners still don't comprehend that Jewish settlers have the exclusive legal right to show up at a Palestinian generational home in the West Bank, proclaim it as theirs, and steal it along with all contents and any livestock - among many other legal entitlements that do not apply in reverse for Palestinians. In my opinion, Anti-zionist Jews are spiritually obligated to speak to Jewish supremacy as a system of power in occupied Palestine.
Sadly there are many Christians who will support Israel no matter what their Zionist government do .. I put it down to wrong Biblical teaching about the end times the new versus old covenant etc. The Zionists were happy to use wrong headed Christians in the USA and Europe to advance their cause and give them money and weapons and that's why they are furious with anyone who seeks to enlighten the church. We all have to reject the genocide publicly and also challenge the greater Israel project.
The Telegraph is not ashamed because it chose to be “bought” by the Zionists, it is probably simply doing its job! What is shameful is that so many of us are ready to be bought, putting our beliefs and humanity in the trash in exchange for money, a career, and unfortunately many times a job that we need to feed our children. What an ugly world we live in!
Fr Munther, yesterday I was with Lebanese and Iraqi Christian friends and family and I was telling them about how I thought it would be down to a few catalytic individuals who would command critical change in the way people think about PalestinIans as human beings and therefore have equal rights to dignity, justice and human rights. You were my example.
I was sorry to hear of your experience with the Telegraph. It is not a publication I read to comment on the article, beyond what appears as a divisive and inflammatory headline. Headlines are so important in presenting to the reader the case an article intends to make. As a standout, it may be the only part of the article a reader may register. When it fails the fairness test, you have a valid case to request a retraction, and apology.
I had heard that The Telegraph’s new German owners circulated to journalists a demand that ALL journalists must sign an oath of allegiance to Israel and zionism. Therefore this particular newsroom is very pro-zionist. Your carefully constructed response was subjected to a preconceived agenda. Rather like casting your pearls before swine.
Thus, my hope is that you are not deterred from advocating the truth in future. We all must receive news of the challenges, and persecution experienced to best support those suffering. Take courage from the mighty James because you have been gifted a similary difficult mission, where the powers against you seem formidable, yet are nowhere near Almighty.
The Telegraphis a noted apologist for the genocidal state. It is not an objective independent voice on the topics related to zionism
This is true.
Mainstream media are part of the problem and have been and are constantly shaping and distorting the narrative with regard to Palestine 🇵🇸
It is exhausting (and very, very, dangerous), this constant distortion (telling lies) to frame any criticism of Israel as antisemitism. But you are being generous to the CofE when you say "....the Church of England merely receiving and engaging with..." Synod didn't even 'receive' it. During the debate, the motion was changed from 'receive' to 'hear' because they were worried 'receiving' might imply agreeing with it.
Moses tapped water from a stone, but don’t expect to tap truth or fairness from the Telegraph.
Agree with Catherine. The Telegraph is a mouthpiece is for the far right in the UK
Thank you, Rev. Isaac. A beautifully written, and spiritually generous, writing.
Yes, we must refuse to be silent in the face of oppression, and the manufacturing of controversy. I think more people are understanding that even the most erudite and humble efforts to differentiate spiritual Judaism from Zionism are politically attacked and twisted for Zionist interests.
"The problem is support for oppression, occupation, apartheid, and now genocide," indeed!
And, within occupied Palestine, the apartheid from which the genocide ensued was/is legally maintained by systemic Jewish supremacy, comparable to what White supremacy was in South Africa - except that no one is "allowed" to name it or comprehend it. Many Westerners still don't comprehend that Jewish settlers have the exclusive legal right to show up at a Palestinian generational home in the West Bank, proclaim it as theirs, and steal it along with all contents and any livestock - among many other legal entitlements that do not apply in reverse for Palestinians. In my opinion, Anti-zionist Jews are spiritually obligated to speak to Jewish supremacy as a system of power in occupied Palestine.
With prayers for Palestinian liberation.
Sadly there are many Christians who will support Israel no matter what their Zionist government do .. I put it down to wrong Biblical teaching about the end times the new versus old covenant etc. The Zionists were happy to use wrong headed Christians in the USA and Europe to advance their cause and give them money and weapons and that's why they are furious with anyone who seeks to enlighten the church. We all have to reject the genocide publicly and also challenge the greater Israel project.
It is shameful that the Telegraph used this rage-baiting headline instead of accurately reflecting the important message your words conveyed.
The Telegraph is not ashamed because it chose to be “bought” by the Zionists, it is probably simply doing its job! What is shameful is that so many of us are ready to be bought, putting our beliefs and humanity in the trash in exchange for money, a career, and unfortunately many times a job that we need to feed our children. What an ugly world we live in!
I would avoid the Telegraph - they are going to distort whatever you say.
Thank you for your compassionate & courageous Christian voice for justice, peace & liberation.
And we continue to ask:
Where are all the Christians gone?
Jesus followers, so they preach,
Yet brazen singing the imperial song,
Putting love and truth beyond our reach;
Jesus weeps, he asks you "Why?"
There is so much truth,
And you choose the lie!
(c) Roger Arendse 20211121
Fr Munther, yesterday I was with Lebanese and Iraqi Christian friends and family and I was telling them about how I thought it would be down to a few catalytic individuals who would command critical change in the way people think about PalestinIans as human beings and therefore have equal rights to dignity, justice and human rights. You were my example.
I was sorry to hear of your experience with the Telegraph. It is not a publication I read to comment on the article, beyond what appears as a divisive and inflammatory headline. Headlines are so important in presenting to the reader the case an article intends to make. As a standout, it may be the only part of the article a reader may register. When it fails the fairness test, you have a valid case to request a retraction, and apology.
I had heard that The Telegraph’s new German owners circulated to journalists a demand that ALL journalists must sign an oath of allegiance to Israel and zionism. Therefore this particular newsroom is very pro-zionist. Your carefully constructed response was subjected to a preconceived agenda. Rather like casting your pearls before swine.
Thus, my hope is that you are not deterred from advocating the truth in future. We all must receive news of the challenges, and persecution experienced to best support those suffering. Take courage from the mighty James because you have been gifted a similary difficult mission, where the powers against you seem formidable, yet are nowhere near Almighty.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BswoCNQq5/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Unbelievably accurate response with each point perfectly focused. Masterful!!!
Bravo 👏👏👏 Well done!