What Have We Learned from The Genocide in Gaza?
Len Desroches, Toronto, ON
Volume 40 Issue 10, 11, & 12 | Posted: January 21, 2026
We have learned that, as thousands (millions?) of Jews around the world have cried out, “Genocide is not self defence!” and “Genocide is not a Jewish value!” and “Zionism is not Judaism!”
That the Israeli government does not speak for all Jews.
That every government has the potential to do evil.
That global resistance to genocide has to quickly move beyond words alone to concrete action.
That trauma, like the Nazi Holocaust, can be weaponised into hatred, racism, colonialism and apartheid.
Both the Israel Defence Forces and Hamas believe in the Institution of War as a solution. The young Israeli war resisters are part of the foundation of a new Israel. So are the groups of Jews and Palestinians who work together as sisters and brothers.
What about God? God can be manufactured into a god of revenge and slaughter: “Now go and conquer Amalek…murder both men and women, infant and suckly…” (1 Samuel 15:3) – or revealed as the God of forgiveness: “… they will hammer their swords into ploughshares, their spears into sickles. Nation will not lift sword against nation; there will be no more training for ward.” (Isaiah 2:4)
Finally, historically, Jesus puts directly before us love of enemy. Mystery. Love of enemy is mystery. Mystery: real – utterly real – but fathomless. Mystery implies exploration. In all our major explorations we have made major discoveries: Outer Space and AI. In all our ancient and recent explorations of fear and hatred of our enemies, we discovered more and more deadly weapons of fear, hatred and revenge: war planes, drones, etc. The ultimate weapon is the nuclear bomb, the final way to deal with our fear and hatred. Israel is one of the countries that possesses nuclear weapons It is M.A.D. (“Mutually Assured Destruction”) – the choice of much of humanity, after centuries of denying or rejecting or avoiding Christ’s call to love our enemies.
What is the exploration of the mystery of love of enemy? What is it? It is the exploration of the spirituality and practice of what we call “nonviolence,” the power of love, the force of truth, the strength of soul. It implies a courageous, thorough and imaginative exploration of power, fear and anger. It demands acquiring skills in using the powerful tools of nonviolence: dialogue (negotiations; diplomacy); vigils, fasting; conflict resolution; demonstrations (leafleting, banner, singing, pots and pans); non-cooperation (boycott; divestment; sanction; civil disobedience).
Love of enemy is only legitimate when it’s fully integrated with rejection of injustice and violence – including resistance to injustice and violence. Love of enemy is terrible. It’s a terrible love. But it is, deeply, love. Deep love. Love with roots that reach God. Literally. Roots in God who is Love.
Len Desroches, Toronto, ON