The Lutheran bishop in Jerusalem, Dr Sani Ibrahim Azar, has made a controversial accusation against Israel, claiming it has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip. This assertion has provoked strong backlash, particularly from a delegation of German lawmakers who attended a Reformation Day service at the Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem’s Old City.
During the service on October 31, 2023, Azar questioned the meaning of Reformation in light of what he termed genocide. He stated, “What does Reformation look like after two years of genocide? What does Reformation mean when we look at a world, a country, that is so broken?” His comments, which were shared on social media, did not acknowledge the violence inflicted by the Palestinian militant group Hamas during its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. This assault resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of over 250 individuals to Gaza.
The reaction from the German delegation, which included members of the North Rhine-Westphalia State Parliament, was swift and sharp. They expressed their disapproval of Azar’s remarks, emphasizing that they “distance ourselves – especially as a German delegation – from the one-sidedness of what was said during the service.” André Kuper, the president of the North Rhine-Westphalia State Parliament, labeled the bishop’s language as “unacceptable and intolerable.”
Reformation Day, celebrated by Protestants around the world, marks the anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses to the door of the All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg, an act that initiated the Protestant Reformation. The significance of this day was not lost on attendees, especially in the context of ongoing conflicts in the region.
The term genocide is defined by the United Nations as the intentional persecution of a population based on distinct characteristics, with an aim to destroy that group, in whole or in part. In a related legal development, South Africa has initiated a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. The timeline for a verdict remains uncertain.
Israel categorically denies the allegations of genocide, a stance echoed by the German government. According to the health authority controlled by Hamas, the ongoing conflict has resulted in over 68,500 deaths in Gaza since the start of Israel’s military campaign in response to the October attacks. A fragile ceasefire has been in effect for only three weeks, underscoring the precarious situation in the region.
The exchange of accusations and the differing narratives highlight the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, demonstrating how deeply intertwined political, religious, and humanitarian issues can become. As the situation continues to develop, the international community remains focused on finding a resolution that addresses the grievances on both sides.
