Naim Ateek Accuses Israel of “Genocide”
Rev. Dr. Ateek’s accusation of genocide — the modern-day equivalent of charges of ritual murder directed at Jews in Medieval Europe — is clearly intended to foment anti-Israel hostility in the hearts and minds of his readers. Israel was accused of “genocide” during the UN’s “anti-racism” conference in Durban South Africa in 2001 which served to legitimize the violence of the Second Intifada. It has also been leveled by peace “activists” ferried from Cyprus to the Gaza Strip who couldn’t be bothered to bring food or medical supplies when they first showed up.
The accusation itself reveals more about the people leveling it than it does about the modern-state of Israel. It also reveals a lot about the people who have defended and endorsed Rev. Dr. Ateek’s writings over the years.
Despite this and other troublesome passages, Rev. Dr. Ateek’s book has been endorsed by Rosemary Radford Ruether, sometime contributor to National Catholic Reporter and professor at the Pacific School of Religion; Rev. John Thomas, president and general minister of the United Church of Christ (UCC); Clifton Kirkpatrick, President World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC), and former stated clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA); and Dave Robinson from Pax Christi USA. On the back of the book, Rev. Thomas reports the text “is essential reading for anyone committed to the non-violent struggle for justice and peace in the Middle East.”
Since when does a false accusation of genocide promote the cause of peace and reconciliation?
Do the people who published and endorsed this book have no shame? Have they no decency?