Just days after the horrific October 7th attacks, where Hamas tragically murdered 1,200 Israelis, a chilling sentiment surfaced online. Two separate social media users ominously predicted, “Give it a couple of weeks, and they’ll go back to hating us.” At the time, it seemed unfathomable that the world could so quickly disregard such barbarity.
Then, on October 17th, the Al-Ahli Hospital incident occurred. A mere ten days into the conflict, amidst a palpable sense of national grief in Israel, initial reports, propagated by Hamas, alleged that an Israeli airstrike had decimated the hospital, resulting in over 500 casualties. A frantic online search for official Israeli statements or IDF releases yielded nothing. Silence.
Hours later, the IDF spokesperson announced a comprehensive investigation into the incident, promising an official statement upon thorough evidence review. In the ensuing days, the IDF presented substantial evidence demonstrating that a misfired Islamic Jihad missile, not an Israeli bomb, was responsible for the tragic deaths.
It appeared that truth was secondary to pre-conceived narratives and readily accepted biases.
However, the initial damage was irreversible. It seemed a global audience was poised, even eager, to seize upon the first pretext to condemn Israel and escalate animosity. The immediate, albeit false, accusation of Israel’s deliberate and indiscriminate killing of hundreds in a hospital ignited widespread outrage. Truth, it seemed, became a casualty of the rush to judgment, overshadowed by a pre-existing inclination to vilify Israel.
The Deep-Seated Roots of Anti-Israel Sentiment
The weight of these events was immense, a crushing burden of sorrow and frustration. Adding to this distress, a former Bible school colleague began responding to my pro-Israel social media posts with aggressively pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel comments. Initially, I engaged in reasoned debate, sharing facts and perspectives. However, it soon became apparent that dialogue was futile. Her responses mirrored the vitriolic rhetoric of mass demonstrations calling for the destruction of Israel and its people.
It became clear that our foundational beliefs and understanding of biblical truth diverged significantly. When I directly questioned her belief in the Bible’s narrative regarding Israel, she dismissed the relevance of her evolving faith and infrequent church attendance.
How could someone with whom I had ministered and shared close quarters advocate for the annihilation of my people?
At that point, intellectual engagement reached a dead end. While my mind grasped the futility of further argument (save for urging her return to faith), my heart grappled with the painful necessity of disengagement. Proverbs 29:9 poignantly states, “If a wise person goes to court with a fool, the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace.”
This interaction lingered, a source of profound disquiet for months. How could someone with whom I had shared ministry and close quarters on a mission trip now seemingly advocate for the destruction of my nation and people? A passage from Rod Dreher’s Live Not By Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents offered a partial explanation:
“Today’s left-wing totalitarianism once again appeals to an internal hunger, specifically the hunger for a just society, one that vindicates and liberates the historical victims of oppression. It masquerades as kindness, demonizing dissenters and disfavored demographic groups to protect the feelings of “victims” in order to bring about “social justice” (p. 9).
While Dreher’s work provides valuable insight into contemporary global trends, a biblical worldview reveals a deeper dimension. The spiritual battle for hearts and minds commenced in Genesis 3, with Satan, the ultimate deceiver, instilling doubt and distortion in Eve’s mind. His enduring tactic is the propagation of half-truths, the sowing of seeds of doubt, and the exploitation of intellectual and emotional vulnerabilities. This ancient strategy is demonstrably at play in the pervasive anti-Israel sentiment observed today.
Unearthing Truth in the Face of Bias
Truth, in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and broader perceptions of Israel, has become elusive, demanding diligent and dedicated pursuit. To approach truth, we must: (1) Invest substantial time and effort, moving beyond superficial online searches that often reinforce pre-existing biases. Critical engagement necessitates more than a cursory glance at search engine results. (2) Formulate incisive questions, probing for hidden agendas and underlying motivations. Cui bono? – Who benefits from a particular narrative? What are the potential vested interests? (3) Interpret current events through the lens of biblical prophecy and principle. The Bible offers a framework for understanding historical and contemporary events, providing crucial context and perspective.
And crucially, consider the unique position of Israel.
For reasons divinely ordained, God has inextricably linked His name, character, and reputation to the Jewish people (Deuteronomy 7:6–8). They are described as the apple of His eye (Zechariah 2:8); He bestowed upon them the Land of Israel as an everlasting inheritance (Genesis 12:7; 15:18; 17:8; 26:3–4; 28:13, Joshua 1:2–4); and He has pledged an unbreakable, unilateral covenant with them (Psalm 105:8–11). God’s unwavering love for Israel is a foundational truth. Humanity is presented with a choice: to accept this divine reality with humility and joy, or to oppose it, ultimately to one’s own detriment.
Many have already defined their stance regarding God and Israel. To those who actively voice their support for God and Israel – your steadfastness is deeply appreciated. Your commitment is impactful, your care is profoundly touching, and your courage is immensely encouraging.
About the Author
Jael S. Kalisher
Jael is a full-time field representative in Israel for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry. You can learn more about her work and support her ministry at foi.org/jkalisher.
Photo: Adobe Stock
