Munther Isaac interview: Gaza, living under occupation, and Christian Zionism
“It’s important to be angry but to channel it in the right direction. Anger is different from hatred. If we are not angry about what is going on now, there is something wrong with our humanity.”
In this extended interview for the UNAPOLOGETC podcast on Middle East Eye, Rev Dr Munther Isaac – Palestinian pastor and activist – speaks about Gaza, living under occupation, and Christian Zionism.
Rev Munther starts off by describing what it was like to grow up in Bethlehem, especially during the First and Second Intifadas. He explains how his faith shaped him and how a desire to serve his community led him to become a pastor instead of pursuing his engineering career.
He talks about the harsh realities of living under Israeli occupation: forced displacement, the impact of checkpoints and settlements on the Palestinian community, and how the settlements surrounding Bethlehem give the sense of living in a “big prison”.
He speaks about how Palestinian Christians have often been failed by the international church – how they have been silenced and how the “weaponisation of the Bible” has been used to justify colonialism and racism. He also shares how, in recent years, Palestinian Christians have challenged Christian Zionism through theology and advocacy.
Rev Munther also offers reflections on the tragic events of October 7th. He warns about the impending genocide in Gaza – “what is happening now is worse than the Nakba” – and expresses horror at the world’s silence and lack of action in response to the unfolding war. Watch the full interview above.