What we see in Gaza is the abyss of violence, says Simon Barrow. Limiting retribution is important, but in the longer run only active, nonviolent love can challenge the destructive politics of vengeance.
Taking the ancient religious law of proportionate response ("an eye for an eye") as an injunction for modern revenge and preemptive attack is a recipe for disaster, says Martin Marty.
Three Anglican bishops have joined public figures in a call for the European Union to refuse further privileges to Israel while it remains in breach of international law and acting brutally in Gaza.
Despite conflict in Gaza, bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada are proceeding with plans to travel to the Middle East today.
Over 4000 Israeli ground troops are now operating inside Gaza. 550 Palestinians and 5 Israelis have died. Many hundreds of Gazans have been injured and one million are living without electricity.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has said her “intensive diplomatic activity in recent days is aimed at deflecting the pressure for a cease-fire to allow enough time for the operation to achieve its goals.”
Ground forces from Israel have entered the Gaza Strip in four different places, a week after its bombing offensive began and in spite of statements that a territorial incursion was not intended.
As the fighting continues between Israel and Palestinians, a study released less than two weeks ago has exposed disturbingly high levels of trauma in Gaza's children before this latest wave of violence.
As 2009 begins, the United Nations Security Council is meeting to discuss the crisis in the Gaza Strip and behind-the-scenes discussions are going on with leading protagonists on both sides.