Christian leaders are calling for Americans to support Israel after the terrorist group Hamas made an attack on Israelites over the weekend.
Dozens were reportedly killed in the attack, and more were abducted, according to the Associated Press. The attack came on a major Jewish holiday on Saturday.
Hamas terrorists surprised 22 towns and communities near the Gaza Strip, shooting down civilians and soldiers.
Reuters reported that it was the deadliest day of violence for Israel since the Yom Kippur War 50 years ago.
"We will take mighty vengeance for this wicked day," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
"Hamas launched a cruel and wicked war. We will win this war but the price is too heavy to bear," he said. "Hamas wants to murder us all. This is an enemy that murders mothers and children in their homes, in their beds. An enemy that abducts elderly, children, teenage girls."
Meanwhile, Russell Moore, editor-in-chief at Christianity Today, wrote in a column encouraging Americans to “recognize Israel’s right and duty to defend itself.”
“As Americans, we should stand with Israel under attack because it is a fellow liberal democracy—and a democracy in a region dominated by illiberal, authoritarian regimes. As Christians, we should pay special attention to violence directed toward Israel—just as we would pay special attention to a violent attack on a member of our extended family.
“After all, we are grafted on to the promise made to Abraham (Rom. 11:17). Our Lord Jesus was and is a Jewish man from Galilee. Rage against the Jewish people is rage against him, and, because we are in him, against us,” Moore wrote.
Moore said while Americans may be divided about whether Israel is right in its claim, he said Christians need to “stand together.”
“War has come, and we should recognize terrorism for what it is. We should also recognize the justice of a forceful response to that terrorism.”
The White House said Sunday it is planning to send military ships and aircraft to Israel. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the U.S. will also provide munitions.
In a speech, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh claimed responsibility for the violence.
"How many times have we warned you that the Palestinian people have been living in refugee camps for 75 years, and you refuse to recognize the rights of our people?"
Photo Courtesy: ©Getty Images/Ronniechua
Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.
