Post-march clarity - reflections on a Palestine protest

A few weeks ago, Malky and Jonty travelled to London to take part in a large (though it turns out not the largest) march to protest the continued Israeli bombing of civilians in Gaza and the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestine through Occupation and settlements.     It was peaceful. It wass diverse. It included Jewish groups, Christians, trade unions, trans people, queer people, liberals, socialists and a whole bunch more. It was  pretty damn wholesome.  Laura was there in spirit. Since then, Suella Braverman has called these peaceful demonstrations 'hate-marches' and said that wishing for Palestine to be free is anti-Semitic. It isn't and they weren't.  Anti-Semitism is an evil we actively oppose. As is Apartheid. As is genocide. So we and a hundred thousand other people marched. And the next week, hundreds of thousands marched. Our government has been weak in its response (except in condemnations of and threats to protesters, which were energetic), and the 'Opposition' as right-wing and uninterested in human rights as we have come to expect.  This episode is just a discussion of what it was like at the march (with a little recording of us while we were there) and what the reactions, good and bad, have been. We also hear a little from a Palestinian friend of the show.   We're all very tired (for reasons explained in the audio) but we cover some important ground in this shorter than usual episode. We hope you like it.  You can listen to our episode with our friend Ehab here.  Please pray for: A ceasefire and end to the military attack on a civilian population Protection for those still alive in Gaza The safe release of Israeli and international hostages All those who mourn Justice for Palestinians in Israel, Palestine and the OPT An end to the evil of Anti-Semitism An end to the evil of Islamophobia An end to Apartheid, racism and oppression The doctors and aid workers trying to help a brutalised population Softening of hearts in Israel, the West and among all those tempted to hate Individuals and groups showing courage to speak out when government and media seem to be against them Jewish communities to feel safe Arab communities to feel safe Europe, the UK and USA to find moral courage to stop the violence The Church to awaken to justice in this issue and repent of our complicity in oppression For God to have mercy on the weak   Free Palestine.      New to Beer Christianity? Welcome! Beer Christianity is an anti-capitalist, pro-BLM, pro-LGBTQ+, post-post-post-evangelical (and apparently republican) podcast where we drink a bit and talk a lot. Our aim is to be real, to be helpful and entertaining. Follow Beer Christianity on Twitter: @beerxianity and find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Stitcher.  If you leave us a voicenote at speakpipe.com/beerchristianity we might air your question on an episode. Beer Christianity also has a newsletter in which Jonty and guest authors comment on the news, theological issues and stuff that matters.  Sign up to the Beer Christianity newsletter on Substack.  There's a connected Show With Music on Spotify called New Old Music. Check it out if you like eclectic music and weird chat. It's not terribly serious.  Jonty's novel, Incredulous Moshoeshoe and the Lightning Bird, is not available in all good bookshops, but if you bought it and left a review that would probably make that more likely.  We don't really want to preach at you, but some people like to know what we believe. It's this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to teach us a better way to be while reconciling us to God and each other in a way we could never do without Him. He also changed water into wine. Nice.