The call for peace amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza has taken center stage after a statement was released on October 9 by several bishops of the Church of England. The statement, led by the Bishop of Southwark, Christopher Chessun, and supported by the Bishops of Chelmsford, Gloucester, and Norwich, emphasized the necessity of a ceasefire as a starting point for peace.
‘A credible peace must start with a ceasefire, but it will not last without a fundamental shift in the attitudes and behaviours that, for too long, have maintained Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory and thwarted Palestinian self-determination and statehood. The settler violence in the West Bank must cease and the settlement-expansion programme must be reversed,’ the bishops stated.
They further expressed that a lasting solution requires a two-state approach: ‘We continue to hold that the only path to a just peace for Israelis and Palestinians, is a two-state solution that provides for a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.’
The statement, however, places the responsibility for peace predominantly on Israel, suggesting that changes need to come from the Israeli side. Yet, historical accounts, such as Ephraim Karsh’s book “Palestine Betrayed,” argue that Israeli offers for peace have been rejected multiple times since 1937 by Palestinian leaders, including opportunities for statehood presented by various Israeli Prime Ministers from 1993 through 2009.
Palestinian leaders, such as Hajj Amin Husseini, Yasir Arafat, Mahmoud Abbas, and Hamas, have all turned down peace offers, citing foundational documents like the Palestinian National Charter of 1968 and the Hamas Covenant of 1988. These documents emphasize liberation through armed struggle, rejecting peaceful resolutions.
The Palestinian National Charter highlights a struggle against Zionism, encouraging armed revolution as the means for liberation and self-determination. It calls upon the Arab nation to support this cause with all possible resources.
The Hamas Covenant declares Palestine as a Waqf, or Islamic endowment, emphasizing that no part of it should be given up. It dismisses peaceful solutions and international conferences, advocating for Jihad as the only solution to the Palestinian question.
Both the Charter and the Covenant, although using different rhetoric, convey a unified message: the entirety of Mandate Palestine is considered Palestinian territory, and liberation is seen as a duty through force. This sentiment is echoed by Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah and the Houthis, who view Israel as a colonial entity on Islamic land, with some Iranian leaders holding apocalyptic visions involving the destruction of Israel.
These ideologies are still prevalent in media representations and educational materials within Palestinian territories, as reported by organizations such as Palestine Media Watch and the Middle East Media Research Institute.
The bishops’ suggestion that Israeli policy changes could pave the way for peace overlooks the persistent refusal by Palestinian leadership and regional actors to accept a two-state solution. Instead, the goal remains a single Palestinian Islamic state from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, replacing Israel.
While the prospect of peace might seem elusive, the potential for change exists if there is a shift in the perspectives of the Palestinians, Iran, and their allies. As Jesus said, ‘With God all things are possible’ (Matthew 19:26). However, recognizing the need for such a fundamental change is crucial, and statements like those from the bishops may hinder rather than help this realization.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
