On Oct 7, 2023, Pastor Constance Seifert wrote:



As the conflict between Israel and Palestine unfolds, please bear this in mind:

The Palestinians have been under occupation by the Israelis for 75 years now – during which time their civil rights have been denied, homes demolished, land taken (for security purposes), schools demolished, crops destroyed – and daily reminders that there is little hope of reclaiming the homeland that was once theirs – or some portion of it as was promised in the 1948 agreement which created Israel.

Since the right wing government took over, Israeli settlers have terrorized Palestinians daily – getting bolder and bolder – even invading homes. All of this was done with soldiers looking on – sometimes even participating – and the government took no action to hold settlers accountable or to stop what was happening. Throughout these 75 years, Palestinians are arrested on a daily basis by the Israelis and held without charges, held indefinitely – and this includes children. 

While I – and many Palestinians – do not condone the military action of Hamas, most Palestinians are hopeless and desperate at this time. The world sides with Israel – and has for 75 years. Their plight has been denied, ignored, discounted. 

Please keep all this in mind as the conflict continues. Prayers for all who are caught in the crossfire. The residents of Gaza cannot leave. They are trapped. There is no place for them to go. No way to escape.

And Israel is vowing vengeance. There are already too many dead on both sides already. But there is no end in sight to the apartheid existence the Palestinians have endured now for 75 years, the world’s uncritical support of Israel*, the damning criticism poured on Hamas and Palestine for any level of resistance.

Pray that leaders with wisdom and compassion will emerge who can make the killing stop and lay a foundation for justice and peace.

*criticism of Israel of any sort is characterized as anti-Semitic

With Angels’ Whispers,

Pastor Connie

Often attributed to Jimi Hendrix:

We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace.

—William Gladstone (1809-1898)