This weekend, the UK will honour the memory of the brave men and women who gave their lives to defend our freedoms and the Judeo-Christian heritage of our nation as we commemorate Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday. Also, this weekend, anti-Israel activists have taken the provocative action of deciding to protest on Armistice Day, a move that has sparked outrage for many in the country. There is a growing concern that there will be violence on Armistice Day, a day traditionally reserved for reverence and respect.
When British forces died fighting the Nazis in World War II, they did so because they were a force of good fighting against evil. The greatest evil that the Nazis perpetrated was the Holocaust, where Adolf Hitler’s followers systematically murdered more than six million Jews throughout occupied Europe. Hitler was defeated by the Allies. Unfortunately, the spirit of antisemitism did not die with him, it is alive and well in today, including in the UK, as many are now discovering.
On 7 October 2023, Palestinian terrorists proved their antisemitic credentials. Hamas terrorists, fuelled by the same antisemitic spirit that influenced the Nazis, invaded Israel and massacred, raped and tortured more than 1,400 Israelis, mostly civilians, including men, women, and children. This mass murder of Jews was the worst atrocity to befall the Jewish people since the Holocaust, and some of the victims of this massacre were indeed Holocaust survivors. They had survived Hitler’s death camps but could not survive Hamas.
The evil of that day is clear for all to see because it was documented and celebrated by the Hamas terrorists themselves. However, while sympathy for Israel increased during that time, it was soon forgotten, and Israel was once again demonised as it sought to destroy the evil of Hamas and free the more than 240 Israeli hostages now held in Gaza.
Unfortunately, the lies and distortions of Hamas, which controls the narratives coming out of Gaza, are being eaten regurgitated by the mainstream media and broadcast throughout Britian. Hamas war crimes are brushed under the carpet because of dangerous journalism practices which are pushing Hamas’s narratives without proper fact checking. This has resulted in blood libels against Israel and increased hatred of the Jewish state.
The situation in Israel and Gaza seemed distant, but as the saying goes, what happens in Israel does not stay in Israel. It did not take long for pro-Palestinian protests to take place on UK streets, and within those rallies, antisemitism and violent hatred began to veer their ugly heads.
As a result of this hatred, people have witnessed pro-Palestinian protesters in violent confrontations with police, intimidating the public and attacking and vandalising war memorials, Jewish communities and even restaurants. Open support for Hamas and other terror groups are seen within these protests as are calls for the destruction of Israel and threats against the Jewish people. We’ve even seen people ripping down the posters of Israeli babies that are being held hostage in Gaza. It is shocking. Why? Because too many of those protesting in support of the Palestinians are actually more interested in the destruction of Israel.
In contrast, when pro-Israel protests take place, they are peaceful. There are no confrontations with police, there is no fear for the public and no war memorials or local communities are under threat of attack.
The difference could not be starker. We think it speaks of the spiritual difference between the sides. It also highlights the reality on the ground in Israel. One side, Israel, seeks peace with their neighbours while the other, Hamas, seeks the destruction of the Jewish people.
Just as the actions of Hamas on 7 October 2023 woke the world up to the hatred of the terror group, the actions of anti-Israel protesters in London have woken the UK up to the hatred of those involved. The British public realises that many of those who hate Israel, also hate the Jewish people and many even also oppose the UK and the values of our nation.
We believe the defence of Israel is a spiritual one. This is why we are calling on Christians throughout the UK to pray for Israel, the Jewish people and indeed Britain. Our leaders must stand on the right side of history.
As Ephesians 6:12 states, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
The hatred of the Nazis is the same hatred of Hamas. That hatred has not stayed in Israel but is revealing itself on the streets of London, and Brits are having to face up to this reality. We pray that they will do the right thing and stand against hatred.
