As a Palestinian-American Christian leading a ministry dedicated to sharing the hope of the gospel throughout the Middle East, I typically avoid discussing statements made by politicians. However, the recent abhorrent remarks made by an ordained pastor, now shamefully occupying a seat in Congress, have compelled me to break this silence with unyielding condemnation.
The alarming remarks made by Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) on March 26, advocating for the annihilation of innocent Palestinians, including Christians in Gaza, demand immediate condemnation. Walberg's suggestion that Gaza should be treated akin to Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 is not only repulsive but also fundamentally devoid of Christian values. Furthermore, his callous desire to cut off food and aid to 2.2 million innocent Gazans, who are already on the brink of famine, is nothing short of reprehensible.
Disturbing reports from the ground paint a grim picture: doctors forced to perform surgeries on children without anesthesia, families resorting to feeding their children animal food out of sheer desperation, and tragically, more than 13,000 children having already lost their lives in brutal and constant Israeli bombings. These atrocities cannot be ignored or excused—they demand our collective outrage and a commitment to uphold the sanctity of human dignity just as we were all outraged by the senseless killings of Israeli civilians on Oct. 7.
Walberg's statements aren't merely poisonous words; their implications hold the potential to bring unimaginable suffering for Gazans and, more personally, for my wife's family, who are presently seeking refuge within the ancient walls of Gaza's historic churches. In times as dire as these, where the lives of innocents hang in the balance and the very essence of humanity is under siege, the imperative to denounce such vile rhetoric could not be more urgent. It falls upon voices of conscience to rise against ideologies—and misguided theologies, I should add—that threaten to tear apart the fabric of compassion and decency, sparing neither thought nor action to protect the innocent women and children of Gaza.
Such remarks are particularly shocking when uttered by any politician, but to hear them from a self-proclaimed Christian is utterly disgraceful. Multiple lawmakers, including Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) with his appalling statement "I think we should kill them all," and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who advocated to "level the place," have openly called for the extermination of Palestinians.
However, what concerns me even more deeply is Walberg's comment. As a former pastor educated by esteemed Christian institutions such as Moody Bible Institute, Taylor University, and Wheaton College—schools that I hold in the utmost respect—his words reveal a disturbing glimpse into his theological framework, shared by some evangelical leaders today.
While it's rightful for Christians to express support for Israel's right to exist and defend itself, it's equally important to recognize that millions of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza also yearn for peace. They aspire to live side-by-side with Israel in lasting peace, dignity, and respect.
However, it's crucial to question why similar standards of empathy and support aren't universally applied when it comes to the Palestinian people. Just as Israel has the right to security and self-defense, Palestinians deserve recognition of their basic human rights and self-determination. Advocating for a balanced approach is crucial, acknowledging the suffering and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians. This involves working towards a just and lasting peace that respects the rights of the two sides.
In the essence of Jesus' ministry, we find a profound mandate for our actions in the modern world, particularly in the context of Gaza and the Middle East in general. Just as Jesus proclaimed the inclusion of all ethnicities in God's redemptive plan, so must we fervently assert the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, including those in Gaza.
The cries of the displaced and oppressed in the Gaza Strip are reaching the heavens, pleading for sustenance and healing. These cries bear similarities to the stories of the Lebanese widow and the Syrian army commander, Naaman, whom Jesus mentioned in his first-ever sermon at the synagogue in Nazareth (Luke 4:24-27).
It is not merely a matter of belief but a biblical imperative to stand boldly for the life of innocent Palestinians, to tirelessly advocate for peace, healing, and reconciliation. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody his radical compassion, knowing that the transformative power of our Lord has the potential to bring about profound change in even the most desperate of circumstances.
Indeed, in the face of such dire circumstances, discussions about equal standards and balanced approaches can feel futile and irrelevant. When millions of Palestinians, including members of my wife's immediate family, are praying daily for survival, the urgency of their plight cannot be overstated. Walberg's horrifying suggestion of dropping a nuclear bomb on them underscores the immediate threat to innocent lives and the urgent need for decisive action to prevent further bloodshed
As millions in Gaza face the looming threat of the worst famine since the beginning of WWII, our paramount duty is to safeguard lives and promptly address the urgent needs of innocent Palestinians. Our collective focus must remain steadfastly dedicated to delivering humanitarian aid, ending the ongoing war, and pursuing a peaceful resolution—one that respects the inherent dignity and worth of both Palestinians and Israelis alike.
Dr. Fares Abraham, a Palestinian-American born in Bethlehem, is the CEO of the Levant Ministries. Follow him on Instagram and X @faresabraham
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Who Is This 'Godly' Man Calling for Gaza's Nuclear Incineration?
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03.04.2024
As a Palestinian-American Christian leading a ministry dedicated to sharing the hope of the gospel throughout the Middle East, I typically avoid discussing statements made by politicians. However, the recent abhorrent remarks made by an ordained pastor, now shamefully occupying a seat in Congress, have compelled me to break this silence with unyielding condemnation.
The alarming remarks made by Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) on March 26, advocating for the annihilation of innocent Palestinians, including Christians in Gaza, demand immediate condemnation. Walberg's suggestion that Gaza should be treated akin to Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 is not only repulsive but also fundamentally devoid of Christian values. Furthermore, his callous desire to cut off food and aid to 2.2 million innocent Gazans, who are already on the brink of famine, is nothing short of reprehensible.
Disturbing reports from the ground paint a grim picture: doctors forced to perform surgeries on children without anesthesia, families resorting to feeding their children animal food out of sheer desperation, and tragically, more than 13,000 children having already lost their lives in brutal and constant Israeli bombings. These atrocities cannot be ignored or excused—they demand our collective outrage and a commitment to uphold the sanctity of human dignity just as we were all outraged by the senseless killings of Israeli civilians on Oct. 7.
Walberg's statements aren't merely poisonous words; their implications hold the potential to bring unimaginable........
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