Munther Isaac: Palestinian pastor speaks on Gaza, Christian Zionism and the future | UNAPOLOGETIC

‘I mean from October we were saying this is ethnic cleansing and these are war crimes… If you follow the statements from Israeli leaders and the indiscriminate bombing of Gaza…. It was clear what they doing…they were eliminating Gaza, making sure that life in Gaza would never be back [to] the same way it was.’

In an extended interview, Reverend Dr Munther Isaac, the Lutheran pastor of Bethlehem, speaks about growing up under occupation, how Palestinian Christians have often been failed by the international Church, how the war in Gaza in an extension of colonialism and the world’s inaction to stop what he says is a clear case of genocide and ethnic cleansing.

Hosted by Ashfaaq Carim

OUTLINE
0:00 Growing up in Bethlehem and addressing the crisis in Gaza.
07:34 The first intifada, life for occupied Palestinians.
15:06 How faith faith shaped the Pastor, confusion as a christian and resistance.
22:31 Palestinian Christians facing forced displacement due to Israeli occupation and historical events.
29:37 Impact of checkpoints and settlements on Palestinian communities, emphasising the struggle against control.
37:52 Encountering settlers evokes fear.
42:59 Evangelical Christians and Zionism and John Hagee.
52:37 Call for immediate ceasefire in Gaza, demand for accountability, and criticism towards Christian leaders.
59:28 Palestinian Christians challenging Zionism through theology and advocacy,
1:07:14 Reflections on the unexpected and devastating events of October 7th in Palestine.
1:15:44 Palestinian pastor warns of impending genocide in Gaza due to lack of international intervention.
1:23:13 Reflections on the impact of genocide and ethnic cleansing on Palestinian resilience
1:30:56 Reflection on historical injustices, colonialism, and lack of empathy towards Palestinians.

UNAPOLOGETIC is hosted by Ashfaaq Carim

[hasnaashaalan]

As a Muslim, I have massive respect for Pastor Munther and his courage and integrity.

[ruthhoud]

It was a privilege to listen to you. My heart is with Palestine, and I am committed to support all Palestinians in mind and spirit. I pray for the restoration of Palestine and peace for all its people. ❤

[tarifasalem]

This man has so much integrity and his honest conveyance of his personal memories and perceptions of growing up under Israeli occupation is so valuable. Deep respect for him and grateful for his voice!

[juliacheetham]

So moving. ‘Gaza has become the world’s moral compass’ 🇵🇸❤️🙏

[allousha]

A brilliant man with an incredible clarity and integrity.

[blanchetv]

As a Palestinian Christian, I agree with everything Reverend Dr. Munther Isaac has said. It baffles me too how many Christians that visit the holy land do not visit Bethlehem, which is a Palestinian town. They are deterred from going there and instead visit anything that is not in the occupied Palestinian territories. Palestinian Christians are erased several ways, right down to tourism. And then people wonder why there are such a tiny amount of Christians left in the so-called holy land. At this rate, there will be no Christians left to guard the Christian churches and landmarks. And I am thoroughly disgusted with Christians in the United States. I literally paid to have an intention read in mass here in America, to pray that the people of Gaza have food and water to drink. The Catholic priest just rejected my intention, and said I have to sanitize it by just praying for peace in the Middle East. Needless to say, I sent him loads of reading material to educate him on the subjugation of Christians in Palestine. It all went to deaf ears, no response. Real Christianity is dead in the United States, and has been appropriated by heretic evangelical doctrine. It is priests like Dr. Munther who gives me hope in the Christian faith, and I thank him profoundly. It is literally men like him that keep the holy land holy. Bethlehem is not a fairytale city from the Bible. It is real, and it is completely populated by Palestinians since ancient times. They are the living stones of Christianity.

[zaidasedien]

I love listening to Pastor Munther, he speaks from the heart. FREE, FREE PALESTINE 🇵🇸, much respect South Africa 🇿🇦

[josephrabo]

No body live like us Palestinians, this man of God tells the truth, the world need to know the facts.

[believer]

Wow I have always been aware of the Palestinian Struggle and as a Cuban Irish it is always with us both in Cuba and in Ireland and it is the first time I hear that the Palestinians have to pay a tax to the Israelíes, I mean this is just the same as the Roman Empire used to do to the Jewish of that time, the irony of it.

[anit]

Pastor, it was so moving to listen to you. I am a practising Christian.... and I continue to pray for God's intervention to alleviate the horrific suffering of Palestinians...in the last 76 in the last 5 months. Never imagined I will see such atrocities perpetrated by human beings in 2023/2024....without any regards for human life or human rights. Thank you for your strength and courags you bring to your people in Palestine. May God be with you in all your future endeavours. 🙏🙏🙏

[celiadiaz]

I’m Catholic and many of my best friend’s parents were Palestinian Catholics from Bethlehem exiled in the nakba of 1948, they lived in different parts of Latin America, Never to return. Free Palestina!

[fikkmann]

It hurts, just listening to his description of the regular oppressions.

[Moira-ve]

I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to Pastor Munther. I am a Maronite Catholic & a Palestinian Activist. I'm Lebanese/South African. I can honestly say that the major problem in Christianity today are these so called 'born again' Christians led by $ seeking Pastors whose interpretation of the Bible leaves a lot to be desired. Their love of Israel as 'The Chosen Land', is a gross misinterpretation of The Word of God. As a Catholic I am taught, "If I have no charity & love does not flow from me, I am nothing, Jesus reduce me to love". Having said that let me add that I have great respect for the Palestinians & will continue to fight on their behalf. I condemn Israehell for this very cruel & heartbreaking genicide. God bless & be with you dear Pastor 🙏 ❤️

[carlkuss]

I am a Catholic priest, and I salute Pastor Munther and his noble testimony. I am beginning to understand and to feel these things, beginning. I am thinking of the words of Saint Paul VI: "If you want peace, work for justice." Thank you again for your testimony.

[carolinecoco]

🙏 Free Palestine 🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸 bless pastor Munther Isaac

[sharonburckardt]

I stand with Palestinian people, I have so much respect for Munther Issac. I am calling for my church to speak out on the genocide in Gaza.

[Allie-pz]

As a fan of Rev. Isaac, so good to hear an in-depth interview with him.

[mariemabed]

He is the Palestinian voice the world needs to hear. Just as MLK, Nelson Mandela and others

[mideastgirl]

i love Mr.Isaac dearly. he is a huge brilliant soul with a guided heart and voice of God. be blessed and protected by almighty constantly.

[integrityintruth]

My heart ❤ is so joyful, hearing Isaac, an authentic heartfelt Christian Pastor!
Me too, I am so put off by the Christian churches in the USA 😢 it’s been a painful disappointment to watch the pastors become power hungry, political and insulting, towards “the left“ - anybody different, and in general just nasty judgmental, unfriendly domineering and depressing.

So thank you 🙏 Munther for the refreshing revisit to The model of Jesus, the good Samaritan, humbleness, genuine, and uplifting!😊
Bless you for your intelligence and devotion.

- Christian Citizen in the USA. Yes, there are some of us who honor compassion, Justice, and true goodness left. 💞