Is Anger Against Israel For The War in Gaza Antisemitism?

The following is a brief summary of a teaching I’ve done with several of our older grandchildren over the last few months. As you read and if you agree it’s a conversation you may want to initiate with your own children, grandchildren and friends. I’ve been watching the war in Gaza unfold over the last 19 months, begun following the horrific slaughter of Jews on October 7, 2023. And that attack by Hamas was not against Israeli solders, but a brutal, barbaric and act against innocent men, women and children. More than a thousand of them! Inexcusable.

I’ve also watched night after night on the news, the almost total destruction of homes, schools, businesses and hospitals in Gaza. Millions of Palestinians lost their homes and have been living as refugees in the desert without adequate shelter, food, medical care or jobs. For sure many of the adult refugees prior to October 7 supported Hamas and even cheered them on as they butchered Israelis. However, whether the reports of nearly 50,000 Palestinian deaths are accurate, at very least tens of thousands of women and children have been killed, or crippled and many are malnourished. It’s undeniably an humanitarian crisis and there are protests all around the world including the U.S. against the way Israel is prosecuting this war.

The question for this blog is this; Is this anger over how Israel is conducting this war which is affecting millions of innocent people anti-semitism, or is it simply outrage against the humanitarian crisis in Gaza?

In other words, can one love Jewish people in general and at the same time be angry at the way Israel’s leaders are prosecuting the war? The answer is undoubtably yes. To be sure there are plenty of other people, tens of millions of them particularly in the Arab world who hate both Jews and what Israel is doing it Gaza.

Websters defines antisemitism as “Feeling, or showing hostility toward, or discrimination against Jews as a cultural, racial, ethnic, or religious group.” And to be sure, ever since the Jewish leaders condemned Jesus and said, “let his blood be on us and our children,” Matt. 27:25, there have been plenty of Christians who have hated Jewish people. And because Jewish people tend to be successful in every field there is plenty of jealousy among gentiles even to this day. Just look at the State of Israel today. In just 77 years it has grown from dirt-poor to being the most modern, prosperous democracy in the Middle-East.

Here’s my position; I love Jewish people and I support Israel as a nation not only because I’m a Christian but because it’s the only functioning democracy in the Middle East. I also believe following World War Two Jewish people have a right to be safe in a country they control. I also support Israel’s right to wage war against Hamas for the crimes of October 7. But Saint Augustine in his defense of a “just war,” required warring parties to protect non-combatants, even if one of those parties did not.

Therefore, as a follower of Jesus I’m appalled and sickened by the suffering in Gaza and I do not consider people who believe as I do, who peacefully protest injustice and advocate for more humanitarian aid and greater protections for innocent people in Gaza to be antisemitic. “Blessed are the merciful….” isn’t just wishful thinking on Jesus’ part. It’s his expectation for all true Christians to not only be merciful, but to advocate for mercy and justice. Caring about “the least of these,” has never been antisemitic, nor should it ever be. Christians should always advocate for the care of non-combatants whether America is waging war, or Israel.

So when watching the news of these protests be careful not to throw the baby out with the bath. If you see violence, don’t assume everyone protesting are violent people. If you see protestors denouncing Jewish people, please do not assume every protester feels that way. Whether in politics, or faith Christians are required to be discerning. Unfortunately, some news outlets and politicians would like you to believe all protesters are violent and because the U.S. supports Israel, these protestors are therefore un-American.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

As an American I defend the right to peacefully protest for, or against the war without fear of prison, losing your job, or student visa if students are legally in the U.S. Peaceful free speech should be free for everyone whether we agree with them or not. If it is not, someday it will be Christians who lose that right and the end of true democracy.