Amnesty Internation and Gaza

A challenging image and a testing question - especially for us as Christians as we seek to bless Israel and yet stand with the words of Micah, Leviticus and many other places calling upon us to live with humility seeking justice with mercy and loving our neighbours too!

I understand the rockets and am appalled at the lack of proportionality from Israel (and the proximity of civilians where due to space the 'human shield' challenge is often circumstantial rather than purely designed in hypocrisy) and wonder which is the chicken and which is the egg.

A challenge for prayer and reason for us all methinks:

Got five minutes? Then please pray

Here are just four of the things that need our prayer - if you have five minutes to spare - please read and pray (and discuss these issues with others) - Thank You:


Iraq and Syria
In Iraq those who oppose the ISIS forces, or are from different sects within Islam or different faiths, are being put to the sword or fleeing for their lives.
Churches are desecrated and bear the writing shown below - proclaiming that they are now the property of the state.
In Syria, in the northern province of Raqa, ISIS militants have killed at least 85 soldiers - more than 50 being summarily executed (which is murder and a war crime) - UN spokesman says:
'Some of the executed troops were beheaded, and their bodies and severed heads put on display in Raqa city.'
This is as much of a humanitarian tragedy as the Israel conflict - and yet is now generally unreported - please pray that people will understand what is going on and will call upon their governments to act.

'Property of the Islamic State' - on the wall of a former Christian Church

Israel
It is right to pray for the peace of Jerusalem - and for that of the Palestinian territory.
To pray that those who fire rockets into Israel would stop and choose a path of dialogue and peace.
To pray that the nation of Israel would remember that the law calls on them to act with proportionality and to avoid retaliation that endangers those who under the law have protected status.
It is right to pray that the US, rather than vote 'No' and turn its eyes away from the humanitarian tragedy that is this conflict makes a stand for that which is right, moral and courageous.
That those nations who fuel this conflict through arms, political means and self-interest seek instead justice, mercy and peace.

Why can't we be friends?

Ukraine
Please pray for those who sift through the wreckage: For their protection and their sanity as the engage with such a scene of loss and devastation.
Pray for the relative and friends of those who were lost and for their protection and support as they come to terms and live life without loved ones.
Please pray for the political situation and for peace and commonsense to come to the fore.
Please pray for those who seek power everywhere that they would understand the results of their actions and, even if they will not repent, step back.

The greed of men is paid out with the lives of the innocents

Education
Please pray for the education of our children in this country of ours as Academies fail to deliver, reforms of the student loan system look likely to increase the fees Universities can charge and schools are seeing more and more teachers leave, or crumple, because of the pressures on them
Pray that education is seen as means of delivering a well-rounded and fulfilled population - it's about living to our potential, not maximising our earning (isn't it?)

Money and Education: when did it become such big business?

Integrity amongst the nations

Now, although some might think I'm totally against Israel I have to say that I am not at all pro-Palestinian (as some have suggested).

BUT

As much as I think it is right to take up arms against a bunch of people whose stated intent is to eradicate Israel. I also think it is right to get down and dirty with people who are firing rockets into Israel with the intention of making life uncomfortable and bringing them harm with said rockets.

AND

My beef with Israel is that they need to comply with international law in the way that they engage and the people that they seek to wound - for at the moment they are (from what I see and hear and read) sitting on the wrong side of the line that separates right from wrong).

I see the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) have been discussing the situation and have voted on a resolution to establishing  an independent Commission of Inquiry into violations that may have been committed during Israel's latest military offensive in Gaza.

How did your country do?

Sad to see that amongst abstentions we find the United Kingdom but at least they didn't join with the United States who had the solitary 'No' vote :-(

It was good to see the emphasis, by UNHRC's Navi Pillar has said that Israel might have committed war crimes during its current military campaign in Gaza. Speaking of accountability she said,  'The first step toward ensuring the cycle of human rights violations and impunity is brought to an end. . .  A lasting peace can only begin with respect for human rights and human dignity on both sides, and ultimately, in the full realisation of the right to self-determination.'

Pillar went on to condemned Hamas' practice of using indiscriminate rocket fire on Israeli civilians and spoke of them, 'Locating military assets in densely populated areas or launching attacks from such areas.' Words that are right and most welcome and yet destined to be as much ignored by Hamas as the other words will be by Israel I would imagine.

Pillar rightly pointed out what any right thinking person already knows:

'International law clearly states that the actions of one party does not absolve the other party of the need to respect its obligations under international law!'

So here we are with rockets on one side and a lack of restraint on the either.

Neither hold the morally high ground of integrity and in terms of proportionality Israel is a good few goals down as I see it.

This needs to stop and there needs to be a truce and some real move towards curbing expansion, stilling the rockets and getting something real and meaningful in place with regards to bringing about a peaceful settlement to all this.

But of course that was probably needed in 1948 I guess :-(

Please pray for peace in this troubled place.