It may not be shocking for some, considering the present Israel-Palestine dispute, to witness a resurgence of anti-Semitism – known to be the world’s oldest form of hatred. Although the Holocaust signifies one of the most horrific manifestations of this hatred, Holocaust did not mark its genesis. Anti-Semitic behaviour can be traced back to ancient times, with the empires of Babylonia, Greece, and Rome, where Jews were often subjected to persecution possibly owing to their attempts to maintain their distinct cultural identity rather than adopting the religious and social norms of their captors. This decision was intrinsic to their belief of being God’s chosen people. It’s pertinent to mention that preserving their unique identity did not prevent the Jews from offering significant contributions to many fields such as science, music, arts, and literature globally.
Alas, the treatment meted out to Jews during the Middle Ages throughout Europe was bitter, with them being denied citizenship, forced to reside in ghettos, and subjected to persecution. It’s a distressing truth that the Christian church played a role in this abomination, providing justification for attitudes and actions that were in complete discrepancy with gospel teachings. A similar sentiment is perhaps echoed in the upcoming reading from the Book of Acts, where the apostle Peter blames the Jews for Jesus’ murder: “But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead.”
A particular commentator perceives a “transformed” Peter in these words, who transitions from a coward to a fearless spearhead, the denier becomes a resolute protector. However, Peter’s transformation is incomplete, as he hasn’t completely grasped the unprecedented mission of Jesus Christ and his disciples, its meaning transcending Judaism, leaving him hesitant to back Paul’s proposed Gentile mission. The Book of Acts highlights Peter’s ongoing journey to a future vision penned by Paul in his letter to the Galatians, where he articulates, “there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Irrespective, it’s feasible to feel disturbed, and even condemn the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza and the West Bank, without being labelled an anti-Semite.
Anti-Jewish sentiment was prevalent in church life up until the 20th century, when in 1959, a mandate was issued by Pope John XXIII to purge the Latin word “perfidis” from the prayers of Jews’ conversion during the Roman Catholic Good Friday services. This word, often interpreted as “perfidious”, had sparked controversy due to its inferred derogatory connotation for Jews. Notwithstanding the significant strides made since then, it is regrettable that Anti-Semitism still thrives in some Christian quarters, as evidenced by the 2017 far-right rally in Charlottesville, US. It was marked by white evangelical Christians and other torch-carrying participants expressing anti-Jewish chants. This abhorrent prejudice is alarming and has unfortunately been revitalised due to current events in the Middle East.
Such views should not be conflated with the Christian identity. One can criticise the actions of the Israeli state in Gaza and the West Bank without being Anti-Semitic. Ineed, these concerns resonate with Jews around the globe, including organisations such as the Jewish Voice for Peace Movement along with its Rabbinical Council. They have asserted: “We represent hundreds of thousands of Jews part of the Jewish Voice for Peace Action calling on our leaders to shun any involvement in the Israeli military’s destructive campaign in the pursuit of tzedek (justice) and genuine security for everyone.” These Jews, like all wholesome individuals, recognise the suffering and torment of those whose lives have been devastated by Hamas’ cruel assault on civilians in Israel and are advocates for peace and justice for all.
True to the Biblical narrative that Jesus mourned as he came close to Jerusalem 2,000 years ago due to the people’s failure to discern elements conducive to peace, it appears that little has transformed.