Episode 86: Post-march clarity - reflections on a Palestine protest
A few weeks ago, Malky and Jonty travelled to London to take part in a large (though it turns out not the largest) march to protest the continued Israeli bombing of civilians in Gaza and the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestine through Occupation and settlements.
It was peaceful. It wass diverse. It included Jewish groups, Christians, trade unions, trans people, queer people, liberals, socialists and a whole bunch more. It was pretty damn wholesome.
Laura was there in spirit.
Since then, Suella Braverman has called these peaceful demonstrations 'hate-marches' and said that wishing for Palestine to be free is anti-Semitic. It isn't and they weren't.
Anti-Semitism is an evil we actively oppose. As is Apartheid. As is genocide.
So we and a hundred thousand other people marched. And the next week, hundreds of thousands marched. Our government has been weak in its response (except in condemnations of and threats to protesters, which were energetic), and the 'Opposition' as right-wing and uninterested in human rights as we have come to expect.
This episode is just a discussion of what it was like at the march (with a little recording of us while we were there) and what the reactions, good and bad, have been.
We also hear a little from a Palestinian friend of the show.
We're all very tired (for reasons explained in the audio) but we cover some important ground in this shorter than usual episode. We hope you like it.
You can also listen to our episode with our friend Ehab here. and find out more about him and his show. Pray for him and his friends and family.
While you’re at it, please also pray for:
A ceasefire and end to the military attack on a civilian population
Protection for those still alive in Gaza
The safe release of Israeli and international hostages
All those who mourn
Justice for Palestinians in Israel, Palestine and the OPT
An end to the evil of Anti-Semitism
An end to the evil of Islamophobia
An end to Apartheid, racism and oppression
The doctors and aid workers trying to help a brutalised population
Softening of hearts in Israel, the West and among all those tempted to hate
Individuals and groups showing courage to speak out when government and media seem to be against them
An end to the Settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank
Jewish communities to feel safe
Arab communities to feel safe
Europe, the UK and USA to find moral courage to stop the violence
The Church to awaken to justice in this issue and repent of our complicity in oppression
For God to have mercy on the weak and hurting
Free Palestine.
You can listen to Episode 86 anywhere: by a river; by the sea; or in the space between them while wishing for freedom, equality and peace for all who reside there. And you can listen right here…
If you want to get a different perspective on what’s happening in Palestine and Israel right now, listen to Palestinians as much as you can. In addition, here are a few things we’ve done on the subject:
Beer Christianity (the newsletter)
Jonty has written a couple of pieces already and will probably write a few more, so you can subscribe at Beer Christianity (the newsletter), or read these:
Toxic Sympathy: When we tolerate for others what we would never tolerate ourselves
An examination of our double standards when it comes to violent resistance.
Stand with Gaza, stand with Palestine: Neutrality now is complicity
Engaging with the shibboleths and loyalty tests uniquely applied to supporters of Palestine, and all the other things we must condemn as we condemn terrorists.
2. Beer Christianity (the podcast) (this podcast)(this very one)
Episode 44: Israel-Palestine with Ilan Pappe - an Israeli historian's analysis
From 2021, our chat with the brilliant historian and professor at Exeter University. This one is on our slightly uglier old site because we are slack and have not finished carrying across all the old episodes.
Episode 84: Stand with Gaza - Palestine, Israel and justice with peace
Laura and Jonty (and Malky in spirit!) talk about the then-unfolding crimes against Gaza.
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Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, post-post-post-evangelical podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, helpful and entertaining.
Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and, once upon a time, Stitcher (RIP).
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Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters. He updates it way less than he should. But whaddaya gonna do? Have good mental health and no neurodivergence? Pssshh. Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack.
There's a connected Show With Music on Spotify called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious.
Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not literature but it’s quite fun if you like Supernatural, Africa or the Goth scene.
We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice.