When the horrific atrocities in Israel unfolded, I struggled with what would be the most appropriate response on behalf of the Huffington Ecumenical Institute. Witnessing the attack by Hamas on Israel on the Sabbath day of October 7 killing over 1200 civilians and soldiers—the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust—while taking over 200 hostages and Israel’s military response to date, leaving over 11,000 Palestinians dead, makes it impossible for any of us not to be impacted.
A general discussion of peace instead of war, or of violence denounced by religions, hasn’t seemed sufficient for what has unfolded in recent weeks. A number of Orthodox clergy organized joint services, such as the one by the Interfaith Council of Southwestern Connecticut. Orthodox Christians in Dialogue with Jews have planned a seminar discussing ways of “Preaching and Teaching ‘with love and respect to the Jewish People”.
In the United States, as indeed throughout the Western world, we have observed widespread anti-Israel—and, worse, anti-Semitic—protests as well as pro-Palestinian—albeit, also Islamophobic—demonstrations, along with several pro-Israeli marches in the nation’s capital and other large cities.
Of course, the issues are more complex, more deep-rooted, and more nuanced than many of the activists and dissenters often portray. There is the lingering asphyxiation of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. There is also the inherently militant approach of many Muslim nations toward Jews and Israel, which ranges from a desire to see the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel to the desire to see the elimination of Israel from the Middle East.
Meanwhile, as the HEI considers ways of hosting and welcoming the next plenary session of the International Commission for Anglican-Orthodox Dialogue eleven months from now, I am reminded of just how close the tragedy of war is to all of us. I waited with unease and concern as the last meeting of the plenary took place in Jerusalem just as Hamas initiated its unprecedented and coordinated attacks on Israel. I am also reminded that it is only through dialogue that we can understand and live with one another in our divided world.
I join the prayer and hope of the world for a ceasefire to allow for a solemn burial of the dead, a compassionate healing of the wounded, an urgent return of the hostages, open access to humanitarian aid, and a critical return to the table of conversation and negotiation.
The Psalms encourage us to “turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34); “for there is a future for humankind only in peace” (Psalm 37).