Antisemitism Is Sin. Period.
By Jonathan Kuttab
The attack this past week on the synagogue in Texas, following other recent attacks on synagogues and Jewish establishments, is an important reminder that the scourge of antisemitism is alive and well in the United States.
We at FOSNA, as adherents to Sabeel Liberation Theology, have always been clear that such antisemitism, alongside all forms of racism and discrimination, are not only condemnable but are a grave sin and an affront to the concept of a universal God who created and loves all people. Given the history of antisemitism in the West and the despicable practice of churches and theologies to justify and in some cases mandate such cruelty, it is important that our critique be theologically grounded and expressed both in teachings and practices that confront and unequivocally reject antisemitism. The dehumanization inherent to such bigotry appeals to the basest elements in human nature, collectively scapegoats vulnerable groups for the ills of society, and masks the political-economic interests of those in power. While true that it might be no longer acceptable to openly espouse antisemitic views and hatred for Jews, the sentiment still exists under the surface, often appearing in the form of “Christian Nationalism” and manifesting itself in open discrimination and hatred against other groups as well.
Those involved in the fight for justice for Palestinians must resist any possible temptation to blame all Jews for the sins of Zionism and the state of Israel and must distance themselves from those, particularly on the right, who would pretend to champion the Palestinian cause merely to hide their own racism and antisemitism—which can just as easily turn against Arabs, Muslims, immigrants, and people of color. Such antisemites are no allies or partners in the struggle for justice and equality.
It is also disturbing to find those supporters of Israel and Zionism who are willing to “give a pass” to known antisemites, so long as they profess support for Israel and its policies.
At the same time, we must be conscious and critical of those who are quick to label any criticism of Israel and any support for Palestinians as antisemitism. This was recently illustrated by the former Israeli ambassador’s attack on actress Emma Watson (of Harry Potter fame). He accused her of antisemitism for no reason other than that she shared a pro-Palestinian tweet, simply stating: “solidarity is verb.” This is just one high-profile example of the long-standing policy to use the charge of antisemitism to silence and intimidate any and all calls for justice and equality in Palestine.
The only way to combat this phenomenon is to be clear on the theological and moral grounds for our rejection of antisemitism and bigotry. As Christians, alongside Muslims and Jews, we confess one God as the creator of us all, who loves all of his children equally. Discrimination between peoples on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, or any other reason is an affront to the unity of the Godhead. And, having been formed in the “image of God,” we are each endowed with an inherent worth and intrinsic dignity upon which is based our commitment to universal, unalienable rights. It is our moral responsibility to show respect, advocate, and care for persons of all backgrounds, as though it were God himself standing before us.
In his ministry, Jesus rejected the widespread hatred and dehumanization of the Samaritans, as well as the pride of his fellow Jews who claimed that their ancestral descent from Abraham granted them special privilege over gentiles. The early church, after first struggling with the inclusion of gentile believers, came down clearly on the side of universalism and equality, opening wide the gates for inclusivity. In the book of Acts, the apostle Peter received a vision from God commanding him to eat an assortment of foods that had until then been strictly forbidden. Responding to Peter's passionate objections, God rebukes him and declares, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean” (Acts 10:15).
In the events that followed, it became clear to Peter that this was a call for radical inclusion. “I now realize,” Peter comes to declare, “how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right” (Acts 10:34-35). While it is true that many in the western church have misused scripture to foment hatred of Jews as “those who rejected the Messiah and surrendered Jesus to be crucified,” the clear message of Christ and the early church was one of a struggle for inclusivity and the rejection of privilege and exclusivity. That is the solid basis for us today in rejecting antisemitism, as well as racism, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and the heresy of Christian Nationalism. It also forms the basis for our rejection of Zionism as an ideology of ethnic exclusion and for our insistence on equality for all people in the Holy Land, as well as for our hope of peace and reconciliation between all nations and peoples. This is the message of the gospel and the good news of God’s salvation and love being open to one and all.
“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality . . . I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”
—Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
News & Announcements
FOSNA invites you to join us in the upcoming events and activities:
January 25: A Declaration Regarding Respect for the Bodies of the Deceased, petition to be presented in person to the Israeli embassy in Washington D.C. by FOSNA Executive Director Jonathan Kuttab and faith leaders representing Jewish, Muslim, and Christian traditions, alongside our friends at Nonviolence International and Code Pink. If you are a religious leader, scholar, or friend of Sabeel based in the Washington D.C. area and are interested in joining us, please contact friends@fosna.org. Note the change in date due to adverse weather conditions this week in the DC Metro area.
January 29: A Celebration of the Life and Witness of Desmond Mipilo Tutu: Patron of Sabeel International. On Saturday, January 29, 2022, at 8:00pm Jerusalem Time, Sabeel and Friends of Sabeel will hold a memorial service (online) to celebrate the life and dedicated service of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who for many years was the International Patron of Sabeel.
February 2: A Human Rights Framework for a Political Solution. On Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at 12:00pm (EST) join Sahar Francis, General Director of Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, FOSNA's Jonathan Kuttab, co-founder of human rights organization al-Haq, and Rev. Loren McGrail, pastor and former director of the Jerusalem YWCA for an essential webinar hosted by United Church of Christ Palestine Israel Network.
Weekly
Kumi Now! Connecting activists around the world every Tuesday with the organizations working on the ground in Palestine and Israel to bring a just and lasting peace based on international law and nonviolence.
Week 3: Building Permit Discrimination. Palestinians in the West Bank have been systematically denied their rights to improve and build upon their land while, simultaneously, they see their lands encroached upon by settlements and the apartheid wall. Here’s what you need to know and what you can do so that together we can rise up.
Sabeel Prayer Service. Join Sabeel every Thursday (6pm Jerusalem) for online Bible Study, discussion, and prayer. Examine scripture in light of the ongoing realities confronting the Palestinian Church and the pursuit of Palestinian liberation.
Wave of Prayer. Subscribe to receive Sabeel's Wave of Prayer, enabling friends of Sabeel around the world to pray over issues of critical concern to the Holy Land on a weekly basis.
