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A prayer for finding balance in the Holy Land

(RNS) — Cease-fire now; release the hostages now.
A prayer for finding balance in the Holy Land
Palestinians look at the destruction of the Al-Gatshan family building after an Israeli strike in Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on Dec. 18, 2023. Satellite data shows that one-third of structures across Gaza have been destroyed. (AP Photo/Adel Hana, File)
Thomas Reese

(RNS) — God bless and protect the people of Israel; God bless and protect the people of Palestine. 

God damn antisemitism; God damn Islamophobia.

Israelis are children of God; Palestinians are children of God.


Jews are children of Abraham; Muslims are children of Abraham.

Israelis have a right to a homeland and a state; Palestinians have a right to a homeland and a state.

Israeli civilians should not be targeted; Palestinian civilians should not be targeted.

Israeli children are precious; Palestinian children are precious.

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Hamas should not hide in hospitals; Israel should not attack hospitals.

Israelis have a right to live in peace and freedom; Palestinians have a right to live in peace and freedom.

Hamas soldiers who attack Israeli civilians are terrorists; Israeli settlers who attack Palestinian civilians are terrorists.

Palestine cannot be “from the river to the sea”; Israel cannot be “from the river to the sea.”

Israelis need better leadership; Palestinians need better leadership.

Guns and bullets do not foster peace; food and water do not foster war.

Let the aid in; keep the weapons out.

Iran must stop arming Hamas and Hezbollah; the U.S. must stop arming Israel.

No more bombs; lots more bread.

War brings famine; peace brings prosperity.

Israel and Palestine must live together, or they will die together.

Cease-fire now; release the hostages now.

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