The Mark of Cain
The Palestinians in Gaza are victims, but not of Israel.
And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Genesis 4:4-8
The book of Genesis warns us about what happens when we focus on jealousy and resentment. In Chapter 4, God promises that Cain will do well, but first he must overcome his anger, which is “crouching at the door,” ready to take him over.
When I heard last Saturday (October 7) about the mass murder of over a thousand civilians, including grandmothers, women and children in southeast Israel, near the Gaza border, I thought that, at last, the world would have moral clarity. Seeing videos posted by Hamas fighters of themselves glorifying “Allah” while executing unarmed Jewish civilians [1a] would define the reality of evil. But I was wrong.
One of the most shocking things this past week was to watch videos of counter-demonstrations at Columbia University by supporters of Israel versus supporters of Hamas/Palestine just days after the October 7 slaughter. The pro-Israel demonstrators held up signs that said, “Empathy on Our Campus Now” and “Terror is Not Resistance” along with photos of those murdered or kidnapped. But they seemed rather muted, as if unable to fathom the shouts coming from the other side.[i] No tears were to be shed by the Palestine supporters for the Jewish victims murdered in their homes or for the young men and women executed at the “Nova (music) Festival.”
Since the Hamas/Palestine supporters also blame America for supporting Israel, would they shed any tears if there were terror attacks here in the United States? Or would they celebrate, like anti-Israel demonstrators did the day after the massacre at the demonstration in New York City’s Time Square? The demonstration included a boy who held up a smart phone that had the Nazi symbol displayed on the screen.[ii] That image made it clear that it is not just an issue of opposition to Israeli policies, it is about hatred of Jews.
Political commentators argue that this is a dispute about land and that if Israel will stop its blockade of Gaza and give up the land called the “West Bank,” the Palestinians will stop their intifadas and suicide bombings and become good neighbors.
If only it were that simple. Hamas leaders and Imams repeatedly call for the annihilation and extermination of the Jews. (see video) This is not a thirst that can be sated by acres of land.
According to Palestinian Authority law, every terrorist who dies while attacking Israel is labeled a “martyr” whose family is REWARDED by the PA with a 6,000 shekels ($1,500) grant and 1,400 shekels per month allowance for life. In addition, the fifty captured Hamas terrorists will receive monthly salaries while in prison. In all, the PA will pay more than 11 million shekels or almost $3 million to the Hamas terrorists this month. This is in addition to the 100 million shekels/month the PA already pays in salaries to imprisoned terrorists and families of terrorist “martyrs.”
None of this could be happening without the generous support of countries in the European Union and Norway, who are the largest funders of the Palestinian Authority. The funders may say their funds go to teachers, police and street cleaners, but that frees up hundreds of millions that pay for the terrorist “martyrs.”[1]
Not to be outdone, President Biden just announced $100 million in aid for Gaza and the West Bank. The funds are to be distributed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which has faced charges of corruption for years and of harboring personnel who incited anti-Jewish violence.[2]
What about hopes for peace in the future? What are the young people being taught in Palestinian Authority textbooks? Consider the Arabic Language book for fifth-graders which has a chapter on “Heroes.” Among the heroes discussed are no scientists, doctors, engineers, singers or artists. The heroes to be emulated are ten fighters from Muslim history, including Dalai Mughrabi, who led a team of terrorists who hijacked an Israeli bus in 1978, murdering 25 adults and 12 children, when she threw a hand grenade inside.[3]
The Palestinians in Gaza are victims, but not of Israel. They are pawns in Hamas’ genocidal agenda, but don’t believe me. Believe their own words. As is stated in Article 7 of the Hamas charter, quoting the words of the prophet Mohammed, "The Day of Judgement will not come until Muslims fight the Jews (killing the Jews), when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees. The stones and trees will say O' Muslims, O Abdullah, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him."
But not to worry, on October 16, a Hamas spokesman named Abu Obaida released a statement about the 200 plus hostages taken captive on October 7. He said,
“These individuals are considered our esteemed guests, and our primary goal is to ensure their safety.”[4]
Well, there you have it, the hostages taken at gunpoint to Gaza are “esteemed guests.” I have long hoped and prayed for peace to come to the world, but if the massacre of defenseless men, women and children cannot be acknowledged as evil, and if the perpetrators are instead praised as “heroes,” then there is no common ground to begin a discussion.
And, we should be fully aware that this is not just about hatred of Jews. As Hamas commander Mahmoud al-Zahar stated, “The entire planet will be under our law, there will be no more Jews or Christian traitors.”[5] In other words, Christians are also on their elimination list.
Those minimizing these realities or who pretend that they don’t exist are not helping the cause of peace. They are facilitating the spread of a Cain-type ideology whose practitioners worship martyrdom and murder, while showing the will to enact both.
And what would peace consist of? Wouldn’t it be being able to go to the neighborhood store, or to a music festival, or gettin on a bus without worrying about being attacked because of your racial or religious identity? Increasingly, that is no longer possible not only in Israel, but also in many cities throughout Europe and even here in the U.S.
We are often told that “diversity is our strength,” but diversity without shared values is not “strength,” it is hell.
[1] Itamar Marcus, “PA will pay $2,789,430 to families of 1,500 dead Hamas terrorist murderers, this month,” Palestinian Media Watch, October 15, 2023.
[1a] Recording from Hamas’ terrorists' body cameras. Terrorists who broke into the city of Ofakim, went from house to house and murdered civilians, including old people. https://x.com/IsraelWarRoom/status/1713915043828441442?s=20
[2] Kayla Bartsch, “Biden Announces $100 Million in Aid for Gaza, West Bank,” National Review, October 18, 2023, www.nationalreview.com/news/biden-announces-100-million-in-aid-for-gaza-west-bank/
[3] Itamar Marcus, “The worst chapter in Palestinian schoolbooks,” The Jerusalem Post, October 24, 2018.
[4] https://t.me/HamasOnline. October 17, 2023.
[5] Danielle Greymann-Kennard, “WATCH: Israel is only the first target, warns Hamas commander,” The Jerusalem Post, October 9, 2023.
[i] Joseph Ax and Gabriella Borter, “US colleges become flashpoints for protests over Israel-Hamas war,” Reuters, October 14, 2023.
[ii] Laura Parnaby and Claudia Aoraha, Fury as Palestinian protester waves a SWASTIKA at anti-Israel rally in New York City's Times Square,” Daily Mail, October 8, 2023.