I cannot take part in the Holy Week Services which begin this evening without thinking about the Jewish community and how in the past the readings and prayers had a decidedly anti-Jewish tone which no doubt led to an antisemitic attitude amongst Christianity at large and Christians in particular. The story of the passion and death of Jesus as set out in John’s gospel will be read in churches on Good Friday. Often there are different voices for the various characters in the story with the congregation taking the part of the Jews whose lines are ‘Crucify him, crucify him’. Is it any wonder that the belief grew up that the Jews had crucified Jesus and were culpable of deicide. This was so strongly held that at times in the past it was not safe for Jews to show their face during these solemn and so-called holy days for fear of being attacked. This has now changed. Scripture scholars admit that while religious authorities were involved in bringing Jesus before Pontius Pilate and sought his death it was the political authority that sentenced him to death. And it certainly wasn’t the Jewish population of the time, many of whom were his followers. The Vatican II document Nostra Aetate which set out the Church’s relationship with other religions spoke out against any charge of deicide being brought against members of the Jewish community and recognised the Jewish roots of Christianity. But the scripture with this in it is still read on Good Friday and hopefully whoever is preaching will deal with this sensitively. For some Jews the very phrase ‘the Jews’ brings back memories of antisemitism and the kind of atrocities that resulted in the Holocaust.
It is so easy to blame a whole people for the faults and failings of their government and while we Christians may have changed out attitude to the Jews of Jesus’ time, Jewish people are often asked to account for the actions of the Israeli government, even though they are not Israeli. I have heard it myself and if I can feel uncomfortable at this supposition how much more must our Jewish brothers and sisters feel. The land of Israel is central to Judaism and many Jews are broken hearted at what is happening in the Middle East now. They have a great loyalty to the State of Israel as a place where Jews can live out their way of life in peace and security but the attack by Hamas on October 7th 2023 sent shock waves through the community as it seemed they were no longer safe in their own land. While the response of the Israeli government can be criticised I think it is difficult for Jews to be openly critical of it because they feel the rise in antisemitism, the overwhelming support in the media for Palestine and what seems a lack of sympathy for Jewish fears and need for security.
During this war which is horrific for the Palestinians I have tried not to take sides. That is not to sit on the fence but rather to try to be both pro-Israel and pro-Palestine, recognising the legitimate history of the pain and suffering of both people, both of whom I think have been let down by their governments. How to hold both stories at the same time is difficult and while I no longer engage in conversation with people whose support for one side suggests a rejection of the other I do find myself expressing the pain of the Palestinians when I am with Jews and the pain of Israel when I am with those who support the Palestinians. Those of us who are engaged in interfaith relations, especially the Council of Christians and Jews have reflected often on the situation and concluded that the only response is that of being broken hearted. For me I have felt a great sadness and real pain when I think of how the Israeli government is responding, more out of fear for its own existence than any desire for peace. When I read the prophets or Jonathan Sacks and hear of the beauty of Judaism and what it has to offer the world I hate what is happening and even fear for Israel’s survival. How wonderful it would have been if it could have lived by the high ideals of Judaism and shown the world how to negotiate and work for a peaceful solution for two people having a claim to and sharing the same land. But why should I expect that of Israel when there are so many examples of so called Christian and Islamic nations not living up to the ideals of their religion?
There are of course many Jewish people and groups who have demonstrated and spoken out against the war. This week there has been a statement from the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the largest communal organisation in the UK decrying Netanyahu and his concern for his own survival. I was heartened by this and found it reflective of my own views. Under the heading “As British Jews we can no longer stay silent on the war in Gaza” they express their love for Israel and deep concern for its future as well as their pain and shock at what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank. They see “hopes dwindling for a peaceful reconciliation and the return of the hostages. Israel's soul is being ripped out” they say “and we, members of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, fear for the future of the Israel we love and have such close ties to. Silence is seen as support for policies and actions that run contrary to our Jewish values…. We stand against the war. We acknowledge and mourn the loss of Palestinian life. We yearn for the "day after" this conflict when reconciliation can start”.
To have such a respected body speak out so clearly is for me hopeful and I will carry their pain as well as their hopes and desires for peace with me as I enter into these solemn days of remembering the death and resurrection of Jesus.
It is so easy to blame a whole people for the faults and failings of their government and while we Christians may have changed out attitude to the Jews of Jesus’ time, Jewish people are often asked to account for the actions of the Israeli government, even though they are not Israeli. I have heard it myself and if I can feel uncomfortable at this supposition how much more must our Jewish brothers and sisters feel. The land of Israel is central to Judaism and many Jews are broken hearted at what is happening in the Middle East now. They have a great loyalty to the State of Israel as a place where Jews can live out their way of life in peace and security but the attack by Hamas on October 7th 2023 sent shock waves through the community as it seemed they were no longer safe in their own land. While the response of the Israeli government can be criticised I think it is difficult for Jews to be openly critical of it because they feel the rise in antisemitism, the overwhelming support in the media for Palestine and what seems a lack of sympathy for Jewish fears and need for security.
During this war which is horrific for the Palestinians I have tried not to take sides. That is not to sit on the fence but rather to try to be both pro-Israel and pro-Palestine, recognising the legitimate history of the pain and suffering of both people, both of whom I think have been let down by their governments. How to hold both stories at the same time is difficult and while I no longer engage in conversation with people whose support for one side suggests a rejection of the other I do find myself expressing the pain of the Palestinians when I am with Jews and the pain of Israel when I am with those who support the Palestinians. Those of us who are engaged in interfaith relations, especially the Council of Christians and Jews have reflected often on the situation and concluded that the only response is that of being broken hearted. For me I have felt a great sadness and real pain when I think of how the Israeli government is responding, more out of fear for its own existence than any desire for peace. When I read the prophets or Jonathan Sacks and hear of the beauty of Judaism and what it has to offer the world I hate what is happening and even fear for Israel’s survival. How wonderful it would have been if it could have lived by the high ideals of Judaism and shown the world how to negotiate and work for a peaceful solution for two people having a claim to and sharing the same land. But why should I expect that of Israel when there are so many examples of so called Christian and Islamic nations not living up to the ideals of their religion?
There are of course many Jewish people and groups who have demonstrated and spoken out against the war. This week there has been a statement from the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the largest communal organisation in the UK decrying Netanyahu and his concern for his own survival. I was heartened by this and found it reflective of my own views. Under the heading “As British Jews we can no longer stay silent on the war in Gaza” they express their love for Israel and deep concern for its future as well as their pain and shock at what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank. They see “hopes dwindling for a peaceful reconciliation and the return of the hostages. Israel's soul is being ripped out” they say “and we, members of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, fear for the future of the Israel we love and have such close ties to. Silence is seen as support for policies and actions that run contrary to our Jewish values…. We stand against the war. We acknowledge and mourn the loss of Palestinian life. We yearn for the "day after" this conflict when reconciliation can start”.
To have such a respected body speak out so clearly is for me hopeful and I will carry their pain as well as their hopes and desires for peace with me as I enter into these solemn days of remembering the death and resurrection of Jesus.
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