ELKHART, Ind. (Mennonite Mission Network) — Prayer is behind the reason tensions over the Syrian crisis have abated in Israel, say mission workers based there.
Mennonite workers (their names are not being revealed to protect their identities) in northern Israel, only 90 miles from Damascus, Syria’s capital, reported tensions being high after Syrian President Bashar Assad said in an interview that the United States should “expect every action” if it attacked his regime over accusations he used chemical weapons against his people.
In Israel, a key United States ally in the region, the statement was interpreted as including chemical weapons against Israelis. The two nations, which share a border at Israel’s northeast, have been at war before.
“No one here doubted his words,” the workers wrote in a letter regarding Assad. “Long lines and crowds led to disturbances at the gas mask distribution centers. Our gas masks are ready for use, but we rest in God’s peace. We feel secure because He is our Rock.”
Fears throughout the Middle East and the West arose in August when it was reported that chemical weapons were used on Syrians living in Ein Tarma and neighboring Zamalka, which are about four miles east of Damascus. At least 1,300 were killed.
The heated rhetoric between President Barack Obama, Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin, an ally of Assad, led to Russia convincing Syria to turnover its chemical weapons to United Nations inspectors. Chemical inspectors arrived in Syria on Sept. 30, as clashes between the Syrian army and rebel forces continued to rage.
Diplomacy is often elusive in the Middle East, as in other areas of the world. Meeting force and violence with more force and violence has been the policy historically. As recent tensions escalated, the faith communities in the Middle East are calling for special prayers worldwide to guide political leaders on all sides and to heal and protect the innocent. The Galilee-based workers wrote that the Messianic community considers those prayers to have been answered.
“You joined with us and with the prayers of believers from all over the world, prayers that were led by the Spirit and prayers that were strategic,” they wrote. “You prayed that diplomacy would win out over an escalation of the violence…Your prayers along with believers here and around the world made the difference.”
At the time of their letter, Israel had begun the holiday of Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles. It commemorates God’s faithfulness to Israel when they wandered the wilderness after leaving Egypt (Leviticus 23:33-34). From mid-September to late October, people build succahs (huts) with branches for roofs to illustrate how the Israelis lived then.
The holiday also is a time when Messianic Jews and Christian Arabs particularly share in Jesus’ message of peace as they attend various festivities. The Mennonite workers reported that as a result of the festive holiday mood, they felt as though they were “living in an island of safety,” though it may be temporary.
The workers urged continued prayer against the slaughter of people, use of chemical weapons, and all forms of war.
Syria and Israel fought in 1967 and 1973. Their most recent clash was in 2007 when Israel struck a believed nuclear site in northern Syria.
The use of chemical weapons has been banned by the United Nations since 1925 and most recently the Chemical Weapons Convention signed in 1993 outlawed the production, use and stock piling of the weapons. Neither Syria nor Israel was among the 189 countries that have signed on to the agreement.
Syria has been in varying stages of unrest dating back to the end of Ottoman rule in 1918. The recent civil war dates to 2011, as an outgrowth of the Arab Spring uprising that began in 2010; people throughout the Middle East and certain North African nations began protesting for freedom, justice and improved opportunities. Some of the initially peaceful protests have toppled regimes without war.
However other protests have been met with violence from dictators. Protests in Syria were initially peaceful, but anti-Assad factions with differing agendas (including those who are anti-American with ties to Al Qaeda) have also taken up arms against the Syrian government, making the political situation much more complex.
###
For immediate release
Mennonite Mission Network, the mission agency of Mennonite Church USA, leads, mobilizes and equips the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ in a broken world. Media may contact news@mennonitemission.net.
