The horror of October 7, 2023, is still with us. On that day, more than 1,200 innocent civilians – Israelis and citizens of other countries, including Americans – were killed in a terrorist attack carried out by Hamas. More than 250 people were taken hostage. One year later, just over 150 hostages have been released; and of the nearly 100 remaining hostages, only about 2/3 of them are believed to still be alive with at least six recently confirmed dead. As we commemorate the first anniversary of the attack, our first thoughts go to the victims and their families, with whom we pray that those who have died will live in eternal memory, and that those who remain in captivity will be released. We pray also for the communities that have been affected and who live with the trauma and fear of the terrorist attack, which shook the Israeli community to its core. We grieve the horrendous loss of a sense of protection and well-being that this terrorist attack unleashed. May God restore peace, safety and security even as we join with others across the global village to advocate for the same.
Tragically, the horrors of October 7 have not ended there. Since that fateful day, the Israeli military response, the stated purpose of which is to root out Hamas, has taken the lives of more than 40,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, whom we also remember, and whose loved ones, are likewise in our prayers. The extent of this killing is unconscionable. The devastation wrought in Gaza – from destroyed homes and infrastructure, to the bombing of healthcare facilities and the prevention of the delivery of humanitarian assistance – is condemnable. Not only does this disproportionate response give weight to claims that Israeli action in Gaza may be genocidal; when coupled with the additional violence in the West Bank, it gives credence to claims that Israel may be seeking to expand its territory. Not incidentally, this response also has substantiated for some the claims that it may be part of an internal struggle in Israel to maintain political power.
This violence has now gone beyond the borders of Israel and the Palestinian Territories. Exchanges of firepower across the Lebanese border between Israel and Hezbollah threaten the expansion of the violence into a regional war, as does the subsequent exchange of firepower between Iran and Israel. There is certainly enough blame to go around for this explosion of violence.
We lament the ways that war is begetting more war, hatred is begetting more hatred, and cruelties are begetting more cruelties, making it less safe for all of us. We grieve the exponential global increases in Antisemitism and Islamophobia and the resulting harm this has caused. And we mourn the loss of life, property, and livelihoods, and overall well-being. Certainly, this is no way for us to show love for our neighbors, or to weep with those who weep and mourn with those who mourn as our faith teaches us to do.
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, NCC President and General Secretary, expressed her distress over the continued violence and deteriorating situation in the Middle East, “When will it end? Where will it end? How will it end? While all the reasons for the ongoing violence are cause for alarm, we must remember the victims and their families. They did not intend or deserve to be the pawns in a regional war. And so again, we pray that the dead will find eternal rest, the captives will be set free, and that their families will be comforted. In tribute to them, let us ultimately seek to end this violence, as we refocus our energies to bring about a two-state solution that addresses root causes and brings about lasting peace.”
Believing in a God of peace and justice, we encourage all Christians from our member denominations, as well as all people of faith and goodwill, to continue to do all that we can to make sure this escalation of violence ends, peace is restored, and lasting peace will be secured.
Amen and may it be so.
