A reflection on love your enemies

A Palestinian Christian's Journal entry on the Israel-Gaza conflict

I mentioned in my last post (Armageddon?) that I have several Palestinian Christian friends. Recently one of them sent me this journal entry about loving your enemies, one of the most important themes of Jesus’s teaching.

I post it here without comment (anonymously by request), but ask you pray with me for all those affected:

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Love your enemies 

I am a proud first-generation Palestinian-American and a Christian convert from Islam.  When I first heard about the horrific attacks Hamas committed on innocent civilians, I was heartbroken for the victims. But among my Palestinian friends and family, there was no room for that. I was accused by a Palestinian of “self-hatred” when I expressed grief for the innocent lives lost in Israel. 

The Christians around me have always been my safety net. But it was quickly apparent that Palestinians, all of them, were the enemy. Pro-Palestine became synonymous with Pro-Hamas. Palestinians demonstrating their support for the civilians of Palestine were portrayed as celebrating Hamas’ attacks. My heart shattered as day after day hospitals, schools, refugee camps, residential buildings, and places of worship were bombed. My children are Palestinian and look like the children who were and are still suffering and dying in those attacks. But among my Christian community, there was no room for pain for the Palestinian casualties. 

A Christian friend asked me how I was doing. I expressed my sadness at the loss of civilian death. He responded by asking me if it’s true that the citizens of Gaza voted for Hamas. In another conversation with a Christian pastor, I asked him to pray for the Christian church that was bombed. He asked me if I got my news from Hamas. I felt like I was in a twilight zone. 

Why don’t we have the capacity to acknowledge the pain and loss of both the Israeli and Palestinian communities? Can we grieve innocent deaths without pointing out whether those deaths were morally justifiable? Do we not believe that every single human being is precious and made in the image of God? If so, we should be allowed to grieve innocent lives lost and advocate for the lives of Palestinian civilians. 

In an effort to create the reality I wanted to see, one of unity and compassion, I attended a public prayer vigil for Israel at a local synagogue. Most of the people there were Jewish. The men and boys wore yarmulkes. I felt like my dark olive skin and Arab facial features stood out like a sore thumb. I listened as Jewish leaders spoke about the impact the Hamas terror attacks had on them and their families in Israel. With a heart full of pain and anger about the mounting Palestinian civilian deaths, and with silent tears streaming down my cheeks, I bowed my head and prayed with them. I prayed with my Jewish brothers and sisters for all for the victims of Hamas, for the hostages, and for the Israeli government and military. A week later, I attended a prayer meeting at an Islamic center and prayed for the suffering Palestinians. 

There are different, seemingly fragmented, parts of my identity: Palestinian, Republican, Christian, and Patriotic America. But ultimately, I am Christian. And I am called to love my enemies, bless those who persecute me, and not repay evil with evil. 

Will you join me in praying for Israel and for the Palestinian people? Pray for leadership that embraces the path of building a future together with Israelis and Palestinians. Pray for reconciliation. Pray for Jews and gentiles to proclaim Jesus is Lord. Dare I ask, pray the leaders of Hamas would miraculously repent and turn to Jesus. 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:43-45.

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