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Answer
First, when assessing the pro-Palestinian movement or any other organized protest, we Christians should consider our own limitations. It’s hard to know what another person is thinking or feeling “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”, (1 Samuel 16:7). People have different motives for identifying with a phrase or position. They may have vastly different levels of understanding. And what we know about their view usually comes through third- or fourth-hand accounts. Using good judgment “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”, (John 7:24) includes realizing those factors and being careful about our response (Proverbs 18:17; Philippians 4:5). Few major social issues can be distilled into one or two words; any judgment based solely on a slogan or sound bite is dangerously shallow.
The pro-Palestinian movement swelled after the October 2023 terrorist attacks against Israel. The most infamous expression of the movement in the United States has been the organizing of protests and encampments on college campuses. Both Christians and non-Christians have reasons to be concerned about such things. Many protesters act in unreasonable and ungodly ways. Yet we should be careful not to assume an entire philosophy when someone says, “I am pro-Palestine.” Not everyone who might call himself “pro-Palestine” condones improper or illegal actions.
Broadly speaking, believers ought to “support” Israel; this doesn’t mean
Holding the nation blameless or ignoring legitimate criticism. In a similarly broad sense, Christians should “support” Palestinians in the sense of seeking safety, peace, and freedom for all people. Believers should be grieved at the impact of war «To do justice and judgment Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.», (Proverbs 21:3). Advocating for peace in a peaceful way and with peaceful intent can be compatible with a biblical view of this complex situation see Matthew 5:9.
Many people have been using slogans, symbols, chants, and arguments that are vapidly racist and aligned with the terrorists who attacked Israel. The pro-Palestinian position in many cases drifts into an anti-Jew position. We can assume many pro-Palestinian protesters are involved due to being poorly informed, naive, gullible, or a combination of those things. Among the protesters are some who engage in disruption and non-peaceful protesting. A few are showing themselves to be overtly malicious. Almost all are relatively young and have little knowledge of the history behind the current crisis.
The fundamental errors of the extreme “pro-Palestine” or “anti-Israel” movement mirror those of other political sects and social movements of the recent past. Participants in many movements, conservative and liberal, have been known to parrot ideas they don’t understand and appeal to crass prejudices instead of reason. Similar tactics have been used by both sides, and neither side has an exclusive claim to irrationality.
Young and naive people are especially vulnerable to manipulation. This weakness is magnified by a thirst for empowerment, agitation by authority figures, and reliance on slogans instead of reason. Because of this, Christians should probably look at the individual persons involved in the more extreme “pro-Palestine” and “anti-Israel” events with a measure of pity. Of course, the history of nations such as Russiaand China demonstrates the consequences of widespread social unrest; therefore, there are both secular and religious reasons for concern.
Overall, Christians should react to the negative expressions of the pro-Palestinian movement with a sense of dismay tempered by compassion. However, biblical believers should also denounce the mistakes and misconduct of the movement (Proverbs 24:24-25). They should oppose those who provoke, encourage, and manipulate (Proverbs 16:27-30). Instead of falling into a worldly, simplistic trap «The simple believeth every word: But the prudent man looketh well to his going. », (Proverbs 14:15), followers of Christ should strive to distinguish truthful ideas from wrongful actions and individuals who distort the truth.
There is nothing Christian about disregarding the suffering of the Palestinian people. Nor is it unscriptural to fervently advocate for peace. However, anti-Semitism, violence, intimidation, disruption, and disorder are inconsistent with the biblical perspective. Waving flags and chanting slogans without a clear understanding of their significance is foolish and detrimental «that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; », (Ephesians 4:14). Believers should be thoughtful and articulate when addressing these matters and refrain from contributing to the confusion.
