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Janet's avatar

First thank you for this post to keep our eyes open to the injustices caused by the continued evil acts by cruelty to the innocent. All that rings through my unsettled soul is "Love your enemies". I have to stay connected to my own struggles which are nothing to compare yet when I think of us as all related in Christ's embodiment I'm stuck in perpetual sadness. The systems that be will always keep us down as we're experiencing now here with the cruelty towards immigrants that to me is unthinkable and I know it's a power greed fascist control suppressing the coming of his kingdom. knowing I bring his kingdom here in my small way by prayer, protest, and posts. I don't think there's a day that goes by that I don't pray for Gaza and yes for the enemies perpetrating these acts of genocide. It hurts as a Jesus follower to know this is systematically happening. My heart breaks daily for every human in every evil government including our own. How could one not see this? How can one stay blind?

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Mark Longhurst's avatar

Thank you for reading, Janet - and for your compassionate prayers.

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Naomi's avatar

Once the eyes open, the horror seeps in and begins to occupy the soul. Some of us do not know how to keep that utter darkness from eclipsing the light. My ancestors were victims or survivors of Turkey's genocide of the Armenian people at the turn of the 20th century. Because of America's essentially military investments in Turkey, it has only given lip service to sanctioning Turkey. Had we taken proper action at the time and in the decade that followed, the Holocaust may not have happened...at least not the horrific way it did. Allowing the means to justify the ends has forged a link to this very day.

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Vanessa Guerin's avatar

Excellent research, Mark! However, it does not take scholars to inform us that genocide is taking place in Gaza! I have strong opinions about this and my hope is that both Trump and Netanyahu will go before the court(s) in the Hague!

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Peggy Brennan's avatar

Thank you Mark.

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Daniela's avatar

First, thank you for writing about something timely and important. I also wanted to say that the format changes made this post easier to read. Though the quotes were repetitive, they underline the key points. The headers break up the wall of text and make it easier for my eyes to read the wall of text on the screen.

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Roy Hoagland's avatar

Mark, you write words of great truth. My neighbors growing up were Jewish and I am so grateful for all they taught me. Including the realities of the Holocaust. But what is happening in Gaza is the oppressed have become the oppressors and the past victims of genocide are now the inflictors. Tragic.

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Mark Longhurst's avatar

Thanks for reading, Roy, and wisely put. We are witnessing a cycle of trauma repetition play out in the most tragic way.

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Marisol Muñoz-Kiehne's avatar

To grieve all children

caught in our wars’ cruel crosswires.

To uncross wires.

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Priscilla Richter's avatar

This is an excellent analysis, Mark, thank you. I'm with you 1000%, I am haunted every day. I'm especially haunted by the so-called 'humanitarian aid' organization run by Israel and the US -- every day there are mass killings as starving people seek food, only to be shot. Around 130 other humanitarian organizations such as Doctors Without Borders have called for the GHF to be dismantled. We cannot look away.

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Mark Longhurst's avatar

Thank you for reading, Priscilla, and for weighing in. Likewise haunted by the militarized GHF, total disregard of international humanitarian experts, and the growing dead. God, have mercy.

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Ken M's avatar

Naim Stifan Ateek, *A Palestinian Theology of Liberation: The Bible, Justice, and the Palestine-Israel Conflict* (Orbis Books, 2017)

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Jim Lein's avatar

This is but one example of military killing. Look at Russia for the main example. There are others. And we have a button Trump could push to destroy much of life on earth. How can this be? A narcistic old man who is more concerned about wealth and power than people whom he treats as less than human. And treats the environment just as badly. His ways are blatantly inhumane, to put it mildly. And, of course, he is aiding and abetting Netty who of course is heightening prejudice of Jews. One man, Trump, doing much damage, setting more and more people against each other. He is humanity enemy number one. Netanyahu is down the list, certainly behind Putin.

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