“Maybe I’ll Be There to Shake Your Hand, Maybe I’ll Be There to Share the Land”: A Response to the Israel-Palestine Crisis

Maybe I’ll Be There to Shake Your Hand, Maybe I’ll Be There to Share the Land

A Response to the Israel-Palestine Crisis 

A Sermon for October 22, 2023 

Trinity Episcopal Church, Asbury Park 

The Rev. Chase Danford, Rector 

As Christ breaks bread and bids us share, each proud division ends; 

the love that made us, makes us one, and strangers now are friends. 

Amidst all the troubles in the world -- from violent conflict in the Holy Land to government dysfunction in Washington -- this verse of our parish stewardship hymn seems particularly timely. If only we could learn to share, our divisions would be ended and strangers would be friends. 

Instead, this week saw an escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hamas-controlled Gaza, with millions of civilians caught in the crossfire. Among the dead are hundreds of people who were taking shelter in the courtyard of the Al Ahli Arab Hospital, a working medical facility that is the only Christian hospital in Gaza and that is owned and operated by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. Others were killed as they took refuge in the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Porphyrius, Gaza’s oldest active church, when it was bombed. The conflict has even spread around the globe, as Jews and Muslims and those who might appear Arab, Muslim, or Jewish have founded themselves the targets of violence or hateful speech. In a particularly horrific incident near Chicago, a six year old Palestinian American boy, Wadea Al Fayoume, was murdered in a hate crime for “being Muslim.” His mother, Hanaan Shahin, was also wounded. When their attacker confronted them and said he was angry about what was going on in the Middle East, Hanaan said to him, “Let’s pray for peace.” 

Let’s pray for peace. If only everyone around the world would stop for a few minutes and do just that. What a difference it could make. 

I want to be absolutely clear that I condemn the barbaric Hamas attack against Israel, in which innocent civilians, young and old alike, were brutally murdered. It was not an act of brave resistance, as some very misguided people have suggested. It was evil. The perpetrators of the attack should be hunted down and held accountable for their crimes. 

I also want to be absolutely clear that while Israel has the right to defend its citizens, its military response has not been proportionate. In attempting to crush the militants behind the attacks, the Israeli government has itself terrorized the population of Gaza, killing thousands of civilians, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes, and shutting off water and power in an already desperate humanitarian crisis. 

I am 100 percent in support of the right of my Jewish siblings in Israel and around the world to live in peace, safety, and security but I am also 100 percent in support of Palestinians’ right to the same. Why do we have to choose between people?

Of course, there is a long history that predates, and has led up to, the current crisis. There is hurt on all sides. The land is contested, and the world powers have made things worse over and over again. In its short history as a modern nation, Israel has often found itself isolated, surrounded by hostile neighbors, and so it became a fortress. Many Palestinians who lost their homes unfortunately turned to violence, and Israel understandably developed a siege mentality against the threat of terrorism from within and war from without. Unfortunately, in their attempts to protect civilians, successive Israeli governments have persecuted ordinary, non-violent Palestinians. The current government, in order to maintain its grip on power, caters to the most extreme religious parties, who seek to colonize Palestinian land and marginalize the place of all non-Orthodox people in Israeli society, whether Palestinian, secular, or religious Jews of different backgrounds. 

Support for the Jewish people of the world in the face of antisemitism does not require support for the government of the State of Israel. In fact, many Jews inside Israel and around the globe support the cause of Palestinian liberation and criticize the discriminatory policies of the Israeli 

government. But, unfortunately, there is rising global anti-Jewish sentiment, so much so that some have actually cheered the Hamas attacks. Others have become apologists for terrorism. In the face of this, many progressive Jews feel alienated by people they thought were allies. We as Christians need to let them know that we are still their friends, even as we also build bridges of friendship with Palestinians. On the other hand, as I read the statements of strong support for Israel and Jewish constituents and friends from public officials and religious leaders in the U.S., I notice that all too often there is a deafening silence when it comes to the current suffering of the Palestinian people. 

We don’t have to choose between Israel and Palestine. We don’t have to choose between human beings. We do have to choose between peace and violence. We can be opposed to the terrorism of Hamas and the brutality of the Israeli government’s military response. We can call on our leaders to support targeted, precise interventions without leaving the entire population of Gaza in a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian crisis. The cycle of violence has to end. Continued persecution only breeds more desperation which breeds more violence. If we want to put an end to Hamas and other terrorist organizations around the world, we should actually invest in building up the communities that have turned to them in despair because of poverty and injustice. 

With so much suffering and such complicated international geopolitical concerns at play, some might ask if there’s anything we can do right here and right now in our context. The answer is: Yes, we absolutely can! 

First, we can speak up – and listen – in solidarity with all our Jewish, Muslim, Palestinian, and Arab friends and neighbors. We can ask how they’re doing, and we can let them know that we’re here for them. We know that they might be facing some ignorant or hateful comments, and a kind word of encouragement and a listening ear could really make a difference.

Second, we can give. I invite you to consider joining me in donating to our fellow Anglican church’s relief work, through the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem or through our own Episcopal Relief and Development. 

Third, we can advocate. I invite you to consider joining me in taking action by demanding that our elected leaders call for an immediate ceasefire, increased access for humanitarian aid, restoration of water and power in Gaza, and release of hostages held by Hamas. The Episcopal Church joins other faith communities, including Jewish and Muslim organizations, in this urgent advocacy. You can contact Congress through the Episcopal Public Policy Network on your own, or through the resources we’ll have available after the 10 am service. 

Fourth, we can pray. And prayer is really important. It’s not just an add-on. It’s not just something nice we say. It is the heart of what we do as people of faith. Prayer reaches out like a warm embrace to those for whom we are praying. Prayer also changes us, transforms us as we pray. I hope you will join me in prayer for all the people of Israel and Palestine, for an end to the current violence and for a lasting and just peace. Here is a prayer from the Episcopal Public Policy Network that is also printed in your bulletin inserts for you to take with you: 

O God of all justice and peace we cry out to you in the midst of the pain and trauma of violence and fear which prevails in the Holy Land. Be with those who need you in these days of suffering; we pray for people of all faiths – Jews, Muslims and Christians and for all people of the land. We pray to you O Lord, for an end to violence and the establishment of peace, and we call for you to bring justice and equity to the peoples. Guide us into your kingdom where all the people are treated with dignity and honor as your children for, to all of us, you are our Heavenly Parent. Amen. 

Finally, we can share our lives and our joys. We cannot let all the hate and violence and negativity we see in the news, and that we might even feel in our lives, have the last word. Instead, we need to live our lives as a testimony to the hope that is within us as people of faith, as people of peace, as people of love. We are a community of love, and we are called to share love with one another and all the world. That begins here. This Sunday, we celebrate the love of God in the baptism of one of our parish children, and we also celebrate ten years of marriage equality in New Jersey, which has helped us to see God's love more clearly through devoted relationships between people of all genders. In baptism, we choose the liberation that comes from the path of love, and in our baptismal covenant we vow to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourself, and also to strive for justice and peace among all people, respecting the dignity of every human being. Our church’s advocacy for marriage equality, and our celebration of it today, is an expression of that vow. May we bring that spring of love and liberation into all we do. 

One of my favorite 1960’s social protest songs is by the rock band The Guess Who. It’s chorus goes, 

Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand,

Maybe I'll be there to share the land 

That they'll be givin' away 

When we all live together 

It’s a simple vision, and perhaps it seems a bit naive. But what a beautiful idea. Instead of scarcity and conflict, a world of abundance, generosity, and friendship. I don’t know about you, but that’s the world I want to live in. That’s the world I want to work toward. 

-Speak up and listen in solidarity 

-Give 

-Advocate 

-Pray 

-Share. Not just your resources, but your life and love. 

As Christ breaks bread, and we break bread in remembrance of him, may the love that made us make us one.