Virtually everyone today agrees—80 years later—that the Nazi effort to eliminate European Jewry was one of the greatest travesties to face humankind. The few Holocaust deniers out there are rightly silenced.
My question is, “Why does it take so long for everyone to agree that a genocide is a genocide?”
What if more people spoke up when the Holocaust was happening? Would it have made a difference? Would it have saved lives?
What about 80 years from now?
What will the world say about Israel and the US war on Gaza in 80 years? I am convinced that in 80 years, the world will express the same outrage and disgust over the war on Gaza as we do today with respect to the Nazi effort to eliminate European Jewry. Now some may take offense at my comparison between Israel and the US war on Gaza with the Nazi effort to exterminate European Jewry.
Two Justifications
I have two justifications for this comparison.
First, at the time of both actions, large segments of the Church within the empire (Germany then and the US now) chose to support the empire’s efforts.
Second, both efforts are genocidal.
Is it really a Genocide in Gaza?
This is where many may object. There is little debate that the Nazi Holocaust was genocidal. But whether Israel’s and the US’s war on Gaza is also a genocide is disputed.
This, of course, is my point.
Isn’t it true that many in Nazi Germany in the 1940’s supported the Nazi endeavors? My point is that we are doing the same thing.
A genocide is happening on our watch, and many within the American Church are supporting it. Instead of speaking up and possibly saving countless lives, some are advocating for it, while others remain silent.
Antisemitism
Some may find my comparison between the war on Gaza and the Nazi’s effort to eliminate European Jewry as antisemitic. I understand this concern, and it’s the main reason I’m hesitant to write this.
Before I respond, let me note that I have written and spoken extensively in condemnation of antisemitism. Antisemitism is an abomination and something that the Church, which has been the primary source of antisemitism over the past two millennia, must repent and seek reconciliation.
But criticizing a secular state is not antisemitic any more than criticizing the US is anti-American.
NB: Criticism of Israel on the basis that it is antisemitic fails to recognize that “Israel” does not equal “Jewish.” After all, twenty percent of modern Israelis are Palestinian Arabs.
Is denying the genocide in Gaza the result of a racist ideology?
I would note that the unwillingness to even consider the assault on Gaza as genocidal may be the result of an inherently racist ideology. What do I mean?
Well, for one, the effort to silence any criticism of Israel by labeling it as antisemitic serves as a form of racism. How so? Because it assumes that “Israel” means “Jewish,” and it acts as though the “Jewish” people are superior to others (being God’s chosen) and are above criticism. Thus, criminalizing such actions.
How could such actions be criminalized in a country whose First Amendment guarantees the right of free speech unless there is an underlying assumption that the Jewish people are exempt from criticism because of some divinely granted status of superiority?
NB: If criticizing Israel equates to antisemitism, then Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, John the Baptizer, Jesus, and Paul were antisemitic. After all, they routinely criticized “Israel.”
In addition, the unwillingness to consider the assault on Gaza as genocide often cloaks itself in a garb that aims to classify Palestinians as though they belong in a sub-category below that of the Jewish people: i.e., Canaanites, Amalekites, or just “human animals.” This, too, is a form of racism no better than the classic evolutionary eugenicists of Western Europe and the US.
As Christians, we should support neither of these claims. We believe that in Christ, there is neither “Jew nor Gentile” (Gal 3:28). To believe that one people group is superior or that another group is inferior undermines the biblical notion that all humanity is made in God’s image and is of immense value.
The war on Gaza is not good for human lives
Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy (Prov 31:9).
My questions, then, are: “When will we become the peacemakers that Christ called us to be” (Matt 5:9)? and “When will we value all lives?”
This war is not good for human lives. No war is. It is not good for Israelis, Palestinians, or Americans.
NB: Sadly, it is good for weapons manufacturers, politicians who gain support (including personal and professional financial support), and Netanyahu’s personal well-being.
Our Christian Witness is Shamed
This war and the uncritical Western Christian support for Israel is not good for our Christian witness either. When we condone war, we are not imaging our God, but the god of this world.
There have been some who, from the beginning, anticipated that Israel would utterly destroy Gaza.
Israel and the US assault on Gaza far exceeds the fears that I expressed in my post of October 8, 2023. At the same time, looking back over the past 19 months, I must admit that, although grieved, I am not surprised at the level of destruction.
Unlike me, however, some did see Israel’s genocidal efforts unfolding the way they have from the beginning. In October 2023, just weeks after Israel’s assault on Gaza began, Omar El Akkad tweeted, “One day, when it’s safe, when there’s no personal downside to calling a thing what it is when it’s too late to hold anyone accountable, everyone will have always been against this.”
The ICC, only months into Israel’s campaign, declared that Israel and the US assault on Gaza should be considered as “plausible genocidal.” This was followed by several human rights organizations: Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
Christian Zionists are beginning to speak up.
Some Christian Zionists, however, have begun to criticize Israel and the US campaign against Gaza.
One is Joel Willits, a professor at North Park University. To hear Joel’s story and why he has begun to criticize Israel, join us on Tues, April 29, at 2:00 EST for a Determinetruth Livestream.
Another voice that has begun to express concern over Israel’s actions in Gaza is Dallas Theological Seminary professor Darrell Bock. Darrell, a prominent Christian Zionist, has written and spoken extensively in support of Israel. Darrell defended Israel and the US assault on Gaza last Spring in a Determinetruth livestream. On Wed, May 7 at 5:00 EST, however, Darrell will join the Determinetruth livestream again to express some of his concerns about Israel and the US actions in Gaza.
After these two livestreams, Determinetruth will host Duke Professor Ross Wagner on Wed, May 14 at 5:00 pm EST. Ross will join Danny and me to discuss the interviews with Joel and Darrell and ask, “Is it too late?” And, “What can we do now?”
NB: The links will work even after the events have gone live. Please subscribe to the Determinetruth YouTube page to stay informed of such events.
What about you? I invite you to listen carefully and to discern why even some of those who have been ardent proponents of Israel are now speaking against Israel and the US’ reign of terror against Gaza.
At Determinetruth, we work independently of any church or institution. This allows us to speak more candidly (shall we say “prophetically”). We refuse to put these posts behind a paywall as this hinders the poor from accessing the information. But we can only continue these posts with the support of those of you who can afford to give. So, if you can afford to give $5, $10, $25, or $1 million/month, please do so. You can provide a tax-deductible contribution by following this link. Choose “Rob” in the dropdown menu.
Please share this post and let others know about determinetruth.
If you wish to view this blog on your smartphone through the Determinetruth app, download the “tithe.ly church” app and insert “determinetruth” as the name of the church you wish to follow. Once it is loaded, click on the “blog” icon, and it will automatically load.
If you would like Rob to speak to your church, organization, or group in person or via Zoom, please let us know by filling out the contact info on the Contact Me tab on the determinetruth site.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In