What does “from the river to the sea” mean?

Response

Terrorist attacks on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023, resulted in a significant invasion of the Gaza Strip by Israel. These incidents brought increased attention to the broader Arab-Israeli conflict— if such attention was even possible. Following these events, pro-Palestinian groups, demonstrations, and protests have at times employed the phrase “from the river to the sea.” This may be coupled with the aspiration for a liberated Palestine.

Israel’s borders are defined by the Mediterranean Sea to the west and the Jordan River to the east. Some interpret the phrase “from the river to the sea” as a call for peace and equal rights for Palestinians. However, for some, the immediate association with “from the river to the sea” is the violent eradication of every Jewish person currently residing in Israel.

Everyday language does not always adhere strictly to definitions; slogans, in particular, are open to various interpretations. Despite good intentions, “from the river to the sea” is linked to profoundly anti-Semitic ideologies. Consequently, followers of Christ should refrain from using this expression. Simultaneously, Christians should respond with grace to those who use it, as stated in “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.”, (Philippians 4:5), without assuming anti-Semitic and/or genocidal implications.

The phrase “from the river to the sea” gained popularity in the years leading up to the Six-Day War. In essence, it served as a rallying cry among Arabs who felt oppressed by Middle Eastern nations like Jordan and Israel. However, it was not used in isolation from politics, nor always with positive intentions. Arab nations surrounding Israel in the 1960s openly advocated for its destruction. Many groups and governments continue to do so today. “From the river to the sea” has been adopted as a slogan for the complete elimination of Israel by terrorist groups.

Groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

The use of the phrase is provocative. The current crisis amplifies emotions on both sides of the matter. Context is essential for comprehending any combination of words. It is conceivable for someone to employ the phrase “from the river to the sea” without malicious intent. Simply uttering, writing, or chanting that expression does not indicate a person is an anti-Semite. Nor does every mention of seas or rivers imply genocide. Nevertheless, common sense dictates acknowledging the historical backdrop in which Israel exists and in which the phrase “from the river to the sea” has been utilized.

As an analogy, contemplate an instance from contemporary Western culture: the phrase “black lives matter.” This particular wording is linked to a political and social movement. Whether one concurs or dissents with that ideology, using this phrase or clear variations invokes those concepts. This holds true irrespective of the speaker’s intention. The same applies to other expressions, such as “I can’t breathe,” “hands up, don’t shoot,” and so on. In 1995, or even 2012, those phrases would not have elicited the same associations as they do presently. Today, they are charged with political and racial implications. Naivety is one thing, but deliberately employing phrases while disavowing their connotations is unproductive.

It is plausible that some individuals—perhaps even the majority—simply repeat the expression “from the river to the sea” without knowledge of its history or usage. Others may grasp the controversy but genuinely adhere to an idealized interpretation of the phrase. Unfortunately, for some, the phrase is utilized with the intention of eliminating Jews from that area. In response to “from the river to the sea,” instead of adding fuel to the fire, «If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. », (Romans 12:18), believers should communicate truth with love «but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him inAll things, which is the head, even Christ: », (Ephesians 4:15) without unfairly judging anyone based on initial impressions (1 Samuel 16:7; John 7:24; Proverbs 18:13,17).