Bystanders yet again?

In the midst of the current crisis engulfing Israel, we find ourselves inundated with a relentless stream of information—images, opinions, and social media updates—and it’s essential to recognize that what we are witnessing is not just a regional conflict, but a deadly spiritual war being waged globally.

The current Gaza/Lebanon conflict has brought to the fore the age-old sin of antisemitism. Right now, we are seeing deeply disturbing expressions of this hatred as the Jewish people endure the most significant suffering since the Holocaust. (In the U.S. alone, a country that has no significant history of antisemitism, there has been a 200% increase of antisemitic incidents since Oct 7, 2023.) How can it be that in the face of such horrific atrocities, this vile form of hatred is on the rise?

Perhaps the answer lies in the nature of antisemitism itself. It is not merely an ancient human prejudice or a hostility rooted in a specific event. It is something born in a complex interchange between the demonic and human rebellion against God. This is why antisemitism has persisted across time, geography, and culture, and defies any logical explanation.

While most people would not claim to condone antisemitism, we can easily become confused and immobilized (even cynical) with so much “information” wielded by a powerful and pervasive bias that holds Israel to a double standard and the Jewish people responsible for any number of grievances.

It is very easy to recognize antisemitism in the past. We often look back at the 1930s and moralize about those who failed to speak out against the rising tide of hatred. But it is not so easy to see it in our own present culture. Autocracies, such as Iran, Russia, North Korea, Venezuela (and others) in their attempts to destabilize the West are working overtime to flood social media, on both the left and the right, with fake news, disinformation, and conspiracy theories about Israel and the Jewish people. Taken together with the anti-Israel bias often found in Western media outlets it becomes difficult to know what is true and who to believe.

It is not enough to disapprove in private or among like-minded friends. We are tempted to remain silent to avoid uncomfortable situations with our families, churches, schools, workplaces, and especially on social media.

We are in a crisis. The question is: do we recognize the nature of this spiritual conflict, and more importantly, will we stand on the truth of God’s Word, pray for direction and act as the Lord would guide? Will we speak out, be courageous and encourage others to resist the spirit of our age and popular opinion? Or will we also become bystanders, confused and fearful of being unpopular or cancelled in this latest wave of Jew-hatred. This moment calls upon us to stand in solidarity with our Jewish neighbors, offering practical support and cooperation so they are assured that this time we are with them in their distress.

Rev. David PIleggi is the rector of Christ Church Jerusalem.