Christian leaders in the Holy Land joined their voices to others around the world in reacting to President Donald J. Trump’s proposal to clear the Gaza Strip of its inhabitants prior to reconstruction.
Trump said February 4, during a White House visit from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that the United States should seize control of Gaza, remove its Palestinian residents, and undertake construction of what he termed the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
The enclave has suffered massive and widespread destruction by Israel’s campaign against Hamas after the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel.
In a February 14 statement, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem, said,
“We are compelled to speak against the grave threat of mass displacement, an injustice that strikes at the very heart of human dignity. The people of Gaza, families who have lived for generations in the land of their ancestors, must not be forced into exile, stripped of whatever is left of their homes, their heritage, and their right to remain in the land that forms the essence of their identity.”
Cannot be indifferent to suffering
The bishops refrained from mentioning the US president. And commenting on a political position could be a delicate maneuver for religious leaders. But they said that as Christians, they “cannot be indifferent” to the suffering of their people.
They lauded King Abdullah II of Jordan, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt, and others for their “firm and principled stance … in rejecting any attempt to uproot the people of Gaza from their land. Their relentless efforts to provide humanitarian aid, appeal to the world’s conscience, and insist on the protection of civilians exemplify leadership at its highest level of responsibility.”
The bishops further called for the “release of all captives from both sides” in the Israel-Hamas war, “so that they can be safely reunited with their families.”
As part of a ceasefire deal, Hamas has been releasing several hostages each weekend that have been held since the October 7 attack, and Israel has been releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Shared humanity
“We additionally appeal to all people of faith, to governments, and to the international community to act swiftly and decisively to halt this catastrophe,” they continued, returning to the main theme of their statement.
“Let there be no justification for the uprooting of a people who have already suffered beyond measure. Let the sanctity of human life and the moral obligation to protect the defenseless outweigh the forces of destruction and despair. We call for an immediate unfettered humanitarian access to those in desperate need. To abandon them now would be to abandon our shared humanity.”
Netanyahu this week reiterated that he is “committed” to Trump’s plan to take over and develop the Gaza Strip, The Guardian reported.
In a statement on Monday, the Israeli prime minister said: “Just as I have committed to, on the day after the war in Gaza, there will be neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority. I am committed to US president Trump’s plan for the creation of a different Gaza.”
And today we celebrate...