Just a few minutes ago, the #IDF confirmed it fired missiles at a school operating as a shelter for women and children in #Gaza. They struck the school 3 times while the women and children slept. Twenty five women and children were killed in the planned and carried out violation of international law. Not only did they attack a school, but a shelter for women and children. This was not a mistake, this was a planned genocide.
It is very sad that more ministers and people of faith do not have the courage to call out the evil and illegal actions of the government of #Israel. Rather, they hide behind the threat of being called anti-semitic for denouncing evil. You can call out the evil actions of the Israeli government without being anti-semitic.
I will remind you that while anti-semitism has come to be known as a hatred of Jewish people for their culture, religion, or race, the word semitic applies to all people of the Middle East. (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Semites) The Arabs who live in Gaza are also a semitic people and to refuse to call out the genocide being carried out by the Israeli government against the Palestinians because of their race, religion, or culture is also anti-semitic.
I will take the risk as a Bishop of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church to call out the genocide of the Palestinian people. Yes, Hamas was evil for carrying out the attack last October 6th. Yes, Hamas was evil for taking hostages. However, one evil NEVER justifies another evil. I call out the Israeli government for their continued genocide of innocent Palestinians who have done nothing to harm the Israeli people.
This war must end. This #genocide must end. We must unite to demand the Israeli government stop this action against the #Palestinians. And we must call it what it is, a genocide.
