In few days, Israel will celebrate 50 years for the Six Day war that erupted in early June 1967. The outcome of that war was the occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza Strip, the Sinai Peninsula and the Golan Heights.

 

This huge Israeli "victory" brought about massive euphoria in the Israeli camp. Only a small courageous Israeli group warned from the outcome of such "victory". They warned that this occupation will bring about corruption and moral decline in Israel itself. They were right but this also brought huge damage to the people under their occupation and control.

 

In the past 50 years, Israel returned Sinai to Egypt as part a peace treaty. This proved to be a great deal for Israel as it removed a strategic threat from its Southern borders. However, Israel is still holding tight to the rest of Land occupied in the mentioned war. It disconnected from Gaza without an agreement but still controls its borders (both ground, air and sea). It also annexed East Jerusalem and declared it being the capital of Israel and that of the Jewish people forever.

 

This occupation and control that Israel exercises includes the massive building of settlements in the occupied land of the West Bank and Jerusalem. In order to preserve its control Israel has built an oppression machine. The Israel Military rule systematically exercises actions that disregard the human dignity of 4 Million Palestinians in these areas. This is done through measures of curfews, disclosures, economic pressure, arrests, detentions, limitations on movement, using the natural resources of the land, limitations on Education, limitations on investment …etc.

 

This occupation is exercised towards Muslim and Christian Palestinians alike in these areas. These 4 Million Palestinians suffer as one of the remaining few peoples on earth who are under occupation.

Israel, under the extreme right wing government in the last 2 decades, has done very little to advance peace even when a moderate Palestinian leader like President Abbas shows willingness for negotiations.

A lot of Christians around the world disregard the damage done in the last 5 decades and celebrate with Israel the 50 years "victory". They just ignore the outcome of the "victory" showing lack of understanding or passion and violate the basic teaching of the Lord Jesus to be just and peace loving.

The Lord created Adam and Eve and the whole human race in His own image and likeness (Gen 1:27). This includes Palestinians. When the occupation prevents them from being treated as human beings then this is no reason to celebrate. The Bible believers around the world should take notice of the warning that the apostle John gave: “But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?” (1 John 3: 17).

 

Palestinians are in great need as they are deprived the dignity that they are entitled to due to the evil occupation.

 

Some of these Bible believing supporters of Israel have a false understanding of the Bible therefore they claim that supporting the Jewish state is a Biblical mandate. However even if this understanding is valid, it does not negate the numerous commandments to seek peace and mercy (Micah 6: 8, Luke 6: 36, Col 3: 12, Hos12: 6..etc).

 

As a Christian Palestinian I call them to repent from these evil ways of standing with the strong and oppressor but to say words of truth that will bring some fairness to the Palestinians. There is no reason to celebrate when Millions of people suffer daily.

 

This is not the way of the Lord!