What I loved most of all about Israel and why I became a Zionist was because Zionism was a rejection of victimhood.

Wind back the clock to before October 7, 2023, and ask yourself what came to mind when you heard the words Israel or Palestine or the Holy Land.

Maybe you thought in terms of Cold War or biblical prophecy, maybe terrorism or forever wars.

Or you might have thought of terms like occupation or colonialism, apartheid.

Regardless of what came to mind, since October 7th, we've all been forced to reckon with what we think about this place.

6.30 a.m., we're in our synagogue praying and sirens go off and they're going on and on and on and on.

But how well do we really understand this story?

Last fall, I traveled there to try to understand the desires of the people at the center of this conflict.

From Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, from the West Bank to the Gaza envelope.

I am alive because I didn't come home.

But all my friends were here were murdered, here, here, over there.

We heard from Israelis and Palestinians, Christians, Jews, and Muslims, describing why this place matters and why it commands the world's attention.

The night journey took place during a year in which the Prophet, Peace of Panham, lost

his beloved wife, Khadija. It took place from Mecca to Jerusalem.

I'm a Lutheran pastor who was born in Bethlehem. My family roots are

here in Bethlehem for centuries, if not millennia.

When there's a weak Israel, every Jew in the world is weak, and every Jew is a target.

And when there's a strong Israel, then every Jew is respected and feared.

From Christianity today, introducing Promised Land, a podcast about Israel and Palestine in the post-October 7th world.

And why should a Russian Jew who has nothing to do with this land come here?

Why?

I mean, if you want, you can give them Texas.

...