College Church missionary to the Jew, Susan Perlman has a timely perspective on the situation in Israel and Gaza. Susan is the chief partnership officer with Jews for Jesus.

The war broke out while I was meeting with a small group of our leaders at a location in the States. Two were Israeli born, one, the current head of our work there. He was also away from home in 2006—on a reconciliation trip with Palestinian brothers in Christ—when Israel and Gaza erupted into conflict. As Eli headed home then, knowing he would be redrafted into the army, his Palestinian friends were crying as they feared for his life.

I asked Eli, how he was doing this time, some fifteen years later. He replied:

“Growing up in Israel you get used to the fact that there is a group of terrorists (not all by any means) who, if given the chance will kill you. As a soldier, you realize that it’s your job to defend your country so that others can live without that fear.

This time as I was far away from home, my wife who did not grow up in Israel, realized that same hate I just assumed everyone lives with. Even though she is Jewish, she kept telling me this is not normal. Military conflicts exist around the world. But the feeling that just because you are a Jew, or an Israeli Jew, someone would rather see you and your children die is, truthfully, not normal.

Sure, there is a political and military conflict, but the rockets aren’t targeting the military they are targeting my children. I was surprised when I saw on social media how celebrities and journalists insinuated that because so few had died in Israel, Israel must stop retaliating. Yet, in that case who would protect us. I don’t want a war here or in Gaza. I believe in the preciousness of all life. I wish no one would be harmed. As a believer I understand that war is an evil sinful part of the fallen world. However, it is part of the reality I have lived in growing up in Israel.”

The weight of the war in Israel is felt by all of us—by our staff on the ground experiencing it firsthand, but also by those of us moved by family, friends and our own love for the people and land of Israel. Those of us living outside of Israel extend words of encouragement, support, and prayer to those coping with this crisis in the most immediate way. At the same time, we recognize that our perspective cannot be the same as those experiencing rockets falling or personal attacks on the streets where we live.

As a one-issue organization, we are intentional about not taking political stances in ways that would distract from the gospel message. However, the current Israeli-Palestinian crisis is provoking more than politics. It’s brought out spiritual and emotional issues, and blatant hatred and anti-Semitism—and it’s to those issues that we must speak. The heart of the gospel we aim to share remains unchanged, allowing us to be unified even as we contextualize that gospel message for our worldwide communities that may experience this situation differently, with various issues arising.

Our hearts agonize at the expressions of violence and hatred in our homeland, and subsequently, around the world. Israel is where many of us, our family, friends, and coworkers call home. As a Jewish ministry, we have a personal stake in this conflict. But it’s not just us who care. A large majority of U.S. Jews (82%) say caring about Israel is “essential” or “important” to their Jewish identity, and a large amount of the Diaspora agrees.

For a country that only makes up 0.24% of the land in the Middle East, Israel garners a disproportionate worldwide spotlight—whether positive or negative. Global news outlets have made Israel a daily headline fixture, and much of the media coverage of the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been incredibly polarizing. Some have called for the end of the existence of the State of Israel and the annihilation of all Jews. Some paint Israel as an idealized entity beyond reproach.

Neither stance reflects the truth. This conflict is the latest manifestation of an ancient, biblical conflict that predates us. Israel, like any country, can make mistakes. Criticism of Israel is appropriate where necessary because Israel is not perfect—but perfection is not a prerequisite for existence. If criticism of Israel is disproportionate, based on untrue assumptions, or uncontextualized, it can lead to the perpetuation of anti-Semitism. Often, anti-Zionism is a cover for anti-Semitism, and when that’s the case, we must be vigilant and stand against it.

Yet, we are called to be peacemakers—to show love to our enemies and grace to those who disagree with us. As peacemakers, we should seek balanced and credible information, listening to and supporting those who have been closely impacted by the conflict, and use our voices to speak truth, advocate for peace, prayer, and the preservation of life for all people. As Colossians 4:5-6 says, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (NIV)

Yeshua lived in a politically tumultuous time. He set an incredible example in his ability to sidestep the trap of polarizing questions and instead engage with the issues of the heart. He prayed for his enemies, engaged with people of diverse backgrounds, and spent time immersed in and meeting the needs of his community. His message had the power to tear down the walls of division and bring unity, to show grace in response to hatred.

This time is an opportunity for our Jews for Jesus’ missionaries and all believers to demonstrate the love of our Messiah. We carry in our hearts the only hope for lasting peace for our people and now more than ever, we need to share that hope—online and in person. Through the light of Messiah that dwells in each of us, we can stand against the darkness that threatens to weave itself into history.

Our staff are encouraged not to be fearful of going out of our comfort zones to engage with our Jewish people through ministry during this time. Here are some of the ways we are doing this:

Conducting street outreach offering prayer and a message of peace for people of all different backgrounds.
Creating environments and spaces for people to dialogue in peaceful ways.
Posting gospel messaging using some of the language I’ve used in this article
Reaching out to our contacts to provide a listening ear, support, and prayer as they navigate these painful times.

A wonderful example of how we as believers can demonstrate our unity is this statement by the Jewish and Arab pastors and elders in Israel. Here is an English translation:

In light of the current situation in which it is expressed in polarization and hatred between Arab and Jewish citizens, we Israeli Jews and Arabs, who share the same faith in Jesus as Messiah and Lord, declare that we are united in brotherly love that is rooted in our faith and based on the Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament, as written John 13: 34-35: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this, all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.”

Our hearts agonize at the expressions of violence and hatred in our country, where we all live together and we have no other country. Therefore, we call upon all our brothers and sisters who believe in Jesus our Lord, to practically express our unity in Christ Jesus, in love, in mutual help, and steadfastness, confronting the forces of Satan that are full of hatred. All of these since we have been called to be ambassadors of the Lord, and so that the name of God would receive glory and his son Jesus Christ our Lord would be magnified glorified bothin our country and in the world.

Our prayers are that the fighting and hostility would cease and that the peace of God prevails in our land and among our neighbors: For He himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility. (Ephesians 2:14) That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (John 17:21)

With blessings and hope for quieter and better days,

The Board of National Pastors and Elders

College Church family, as we navigate this situation together, let’s pray for one another to respond in a way that brings glory to the Lord. We have prayed for a ceasefire, and now there is one though no one knows how long it will last. Pray for protection of the Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel. Let’s pray for the Lord to change our hearts and attitudes to reflect his. And most important, pray that even in the midst of death and tragedy, God would bring about salvation and new life.