Trying to Understand the Conflict
In this blog post I will answer three questions.
- “What did you know about Israel before October 7th 2023, and what was that based upon?
- What does this book help you understand that you didn’t know before?
- How do you navigate the Israel-Middle East conflict?
What did you know about Israel before October 7th 2023 and what was it based upon?
In the formative years of third through fifth grades, I developed a best friendship with a Jewish peer. I remember that she was actively engaged in Hebrew school and other Jewish religious and cultural practices. At the same time, I was being brought up in a Christian household, where I regularly attended a Presbyterian church where my mother was on staff and where I participated in choir, Sunday School, and anything else that was happening at the church. Despite our differing religious backgrounds, I shared a kinship with my friend, acknowledging as best as a ten-year-old can, that our respective faiths played important roles in shaping both our individual lives and our family dynamics. This early interfaith friendship likely helped shape in me what I hope is an inclusive and respectful perspective on religious diversity, informing my approach to trying to understand the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
While not necessarily helping me to “know” much about Israel specifically, the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has significantly shaped my understanding of the complex issues between Israel and Palestine. Through various resolutions and study documents, the PC(USA) has emphasized the complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In 2003, the PC(USA) published a resolution for the General Assembly called, Resolution on Israel and Palestine: End the Occupation Now in which they acknowledge their protest of attacks on Jews in many parts of the world as well as their work on behalf of the Palestinian people.[1] In 2014, the PC(USA) voted to divest its holdings from three companies, Caterpillar, Hewlett Packard, and Motorola, because these companies supplied equipment used by Israel in the occupation of Palestinian territory.[2] Then, in 2022, at the 225th General Assembly the PC(USA) voted to declare that the Israeli government’s actions against Palestinian people met the legal definition of apartheid.[3] In the 2024 General Assembly, the Presbyterian Church (USA) voted to divest from financial bonds in Israel and denounced Christian Zionism, describing it as, “an ideological vision that it says links the State of Israel with biblical views of the ‘promised land,’ and therefore justifies taking land away from Palestinians.”[4] Admittedly, I have not been as attentive to the positions of the PC(USA) as others. (In my defense, I’ve been raising children and working full-time during the years my denomination has been making these resolutions so have had little mental space for much else, though I should not use that as an excuse to look away from the conflict), however, what I did hear and pay attention to, shaped my opinion of the conflict.
Last spring I read the book, Salt Houses by Hala Alyan which follows the story of four generations of a Palestinian family. Hearing their historical but fictional story, I gained insight into the impact of displacement and the ongoing struggle for identity and belonging. It was a beautiful book that I highly recommend to anybody wanting to learn more about what it is like to grow up in the Middle-East.
What does Bunton’s book help you understand that you didn’t know before?
In so many conversations regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I would hear others say, (and admittedly probably said it myself), “It’s an ancient religious conflict,” as an excuse as to why we cannot fully understand nor do anything about it. Bunton, makes the claim that this is instead a “territorial contest: two nations, one land,” with the “main challenge to resolving the conflict” being “one of drawing borders,”[5] or, “the mutually exclusive territorial claims of two competing nationalisms, Palestinian and Israeli.”[6]
It is the effect of Jewish Zionist nationalism that I did not understand before, nor do I claim to understand it now, though perhaps I know a bit more than before reading the book. Because of my involvement in the PC(USA), I’ve long held the belief that Israel was unjustly taking land from the Palestinian people, a point I think Bunton also makes when he writes, delegates to the Basel programee “defined Zionism as the creation of a home for the Jewish people in Palestine. Palestine, however, was already inhabited though many in Europe who hailed Zionism as a grand and noble project conceived of Palestine as empty.”[7] What I did not understand was that Jewish Zionism was not a religious but a political movement and while I might be quick to judge it as colonization of the Palestinian people, it is perhaps more complicated as it was hatched as a way to combat very-real anti-Semitism.
Something else to which I am beginning to draw connections is the link between Constantinianism and Christianity, Jewish Zionism and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, and America being a “Christian nation.” I don’t have room to elaborate on this now but based on the reading selections for this semester, I think I will be developing those connections for the next several months.
Bunton’s book underscores the importance of understanding the current situation in Palestine and Israel through the lens of the complicated historical context. This perspective is crucial to grasping the complexity of the situation as it highlights how past events continue to shape the realities of today.
How do you navigate the Israel-Middle East conflict?
It is important to recognize that navigating this conflict requires ongoing education and a willingness to engage in respectful dialogue with those holding differing views, including Palestinian and Israeli voices. An attitude of humility and prayer for understanding will play a vital role in my ability to navigate the conflict.
[1] https://www.pcusa.org/site_media/media/uploads/_resolutions/endoccupation03.pdf, accessed August 27, 2024.
[2] Doug Stanglin and Niraj Warikoo, Presbyterians divest holdings to pressure Israel, USA Today, June 21, 2014,
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/06/21/presbyterians-israel-holdings-divestment/11207459/, accessed August 27, 2024.
[3] Rick Jones, Stated Clerk shares letter to church on GA decision regarding Israel-Palestine, July 11, 2022,
https://www.pcusa.org/news/2022/7/11/stated-clerk-shares-letter-church-ga-decision-rega/, accessed August 27, 2024.
[4] Anadolu, Presbyterian Church (USA) Votes to Divest from Israel Bonds, Condemns Christian Zionism, July 4, 2024, https://www.palestinechronicle.com/presbyterian-church-usa-votes-to-divest-from-israel-bonds-condemns-christian-zionism/, accessed August 27, 2024.
[5] Martin Bunton, The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 2013, location 205 of 442 Kindle.
[6] Ibid, location 275 of 442 Kindle.
[7] Ibid, location 307 of 442 Kindle.
About the Author
Kally Elliott
Mom of four. Wanna-be Broadway star. PC(USA) pastor. Wife. Friend. Sometimes a hot mess. Sometimes somewhat together. Is this supposed to be a professional bio?9 responses to “Trying to Understand the Conflict”
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Hi Kally-
Yes, and amen to your final thoughts on the need for humility and education when navigating these topics. And that approach ties so closely to my area of research in navigating civil disagreement. I wonder, as a leader of a congregation, are you seeing these discussions surfacing in your church? Any examples of how it has been navigated well?
Hi Jen, I think our congregation does a pretty decent job of engaging in difficult conversations – or, perhaps I should say, those who choose to engage do a pretty decent job of leading with humility and curiosity. Last spring we hosted several dinner discussions on the topic of gun violence which then culminated in a Guns to Gardens event where we invited the community to surrender guns to be turned into garden tools. We are in central Oregon where this could be a really tricky topic – and for some it was – but those who expressed problems with it did so kindly and again, with curiosity. In fact, one man who was not in agreement at the beginning attended the dinner discussions and then volunteered for the Guns to Gardens event.
Hi Kally,
Nice post.
I have spent some time looking at conflicts and one of my academic pathways took me towards International Studies.
A variety of theories are used to interpret and predict international relations: Realism, Liberalism, Constructivism, Marxism and critical theory, Feminism, Postcolonialism, Green and variants.
I used to teach a master’s course in International Peace and Conflict and provide students a simpler way to evaluate and act upon current events, called “DIME,” standing for Diplomatic, Information, Military, Economic. (It is easy for us Army guys to remember).
This lens is used by the U.S. Military to view international events. By no means comprehensive it does provide a simplified look at complex situations that serve as a start point for strategic and operational planning.
In addition, I added the dimension of Religion to this analysis (DIME + R). Religion is disregarded in more International Relations theory and Religion adds historical and personal motivations to the equation. For instance….
Jewish Perspective & Christian Perspective – Biblical Promises Divine Covenant: According to the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), God made a covenant with Abraham, promising him and his descendants the land of Canaan (modern-day Israel and Palestinian territories).
Genesis 12:1-3: [God’s promise to Abram (Abraham) to make him a great nation and bless him] “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
Islamic Perspective
“Allah the Almighty has not used the word “يَمْلِکھَا” [in the aforementioned verse] but in fact said “يَرِثُھَا”. This manifestly shows that the true heirs [of Palestine] will always be Muslims, and if it goes into the hands of some else at some point, such a possession would be similar to a scenario in which the mortgagor gives temporary control of their property to the mortgagee. This is the glory of Divine revelation, [and it shall surely come to pass].” (Al Hakam, 10 November 1902, p. 7)
This book is great historical recap, but it lacks the key element of faith systems. Jenny Dooley reminded me of this in her posts about Fukuyama’s Identity.
The way ahead. Based on the identity of these two groups, I do not see forgiveness on the near horizon. Too much pain and blood.
But then again we were never promised peace on Earth.
Prayer should be my first step for this conflict and for Ukraine. Perhaps it is the best and most effective thing I can do.
Shalom…
As I read the next book on our syllabus I am seeing the need for religion to be added to DIME! Thanks for bringing this up.
Just adding my two cents (so to speak).
Thanks Kally…very interesting to read how your religious tribe has been engaged in this conflict over the years–I would say it’s not a typical response to the majority evangelical community. After reading Dreaming in Black and White (where the author states that he regularly addresses social events from the pulpit) and your post…I realize that I need to think further on what I address (or don’t address) as a church leader in our community. Specifically, I need to think about whether I more clearly name ‘injustice’ perpetrated by any group….rather than riding the ‘middle ground’ of praying for peace in the middle east….which doesn’t have me taking any ‘side’ in the conflict, but also doesn’t have me speaking against either side for the wrongs done. Some further pondering for me to do in light of your post…
Kally and Scott,
Kally, Thank you for your thoughtful post and for the book recommendation. I look forward to reading it! I appreciate how you encourage us to know more details about the situation and seek to understand, even when it is a complex problem. The “Bible” answer isn’t sufficient.
Scott, I have been pondering along similar lines when you wrote about taking the ‘middle ground’ and ‘not taking any side.’ That tension is uncomfortable as I see injustices on both sides. I also want to see more of the good on both sides.
Praying for peace!
Kally,
I, too, along with Scott and Jenny, wonder if we have gotten too used to saying that we should not get into these types of hot topics in the pulpit because we have various sides in our congregations. Something to rethink.
I also love your idea of having Dinner Discussion Nights. Teaching our congregants to think more deeply about the complexity of the pressing issues we face as a society and leaning into what the Holy Spirit is saying encourages critical thinking and a continual humbleness of thought.
Thank you for your well-written post.
Hey Pastor Kally. I always read your posts slowly because I love the depth of them. This time you said something so simple that it could get lost…
“An attitude of humility and prayer for understanding will play a vital role in my ability to navigate the conflict.” How would God transform me if I prayed for understanding? Understanding of what? Understanding of whatever God wants to communicate to me. I will hold onto this. Thank you so much.