When we look back at the history of modern Israel, it is abundantly obvious that the endless calls for a ceasefire in the current conflict are particularly futile. As an organisation, HAMAS do not want peace, and even if we only start the records on October 6th, have committed numerous war crimes. These crimes include, but are not limited to:
- Direct attacks on civilians
- Taking civilian hostages
- Sexual violence
- Disguising combatants as civilians
- Using civilian infrastructure for military purpose
- Violating numerous ceasefires
With these kinds of war crimes under their belt, it is clear that HAMAS is a terror organisation that is simply not able to be reasoned with. A ceasefire at any time would be foolish, and would only result in yet another violation by HAMAS, prolonging the violence.
But certain people have got it into their heads that, since we are now in the period of Ramadan, regarded by Muslims as a holy month, now is the absolute best time for a ceasefire.
There is a hint of irony in this demand at the outset. A core premise is that Ramadan is somehow worthy of respect, even for non-Muslims. Even for Jews, who were attacked by HAMAS on October 7th, during Simchat Torah, a Jewish celebration to mark the completion of the annual cycle of Torah reading. Is it not at least slightly hypocritical to demand respect for times viewed as sacred in Islam, while not a hint of regard is given to Jewish holy times?
But of course, while there is an element of this in the calls for a Ramadan ceasefire, campaigners also have another premise in mind: That Ramadan is a time in which Muslims particularly seek to spread peace, advocate reconciliation, and show solidarity.
Of course, for some Muslims, that's actually true. Human beings in general are as diverse as the stars, and as much as we may claim a religion, we don't always follow it very well. Many Muslims, particularly in the Western world, haven't even read the Qur'an, and are often shocked when it is opened up and we see just how despicable Muhammad was, and how he commanded his followers to be in the name of Allah. Thus, while Ramadan is a time of peace for many Muslims around the world, for Islamic terrorists, it is an excuse to amplify their efforts to commit Jihad.
It is helpful to note the popular site "The Religion Of Peace", which, on top of providing ample evidence from the Islamic sources that Islam promotes violence, also hosts an annual event called the "Ramadan Bombathon". The Ramadan Bombathon seeks to accurately report global terror attacks as and when they occur, tallying both the number of people killed, and the religion responsible. It also records the number of attacks by "Right Wing" or anti-Muslim extremists (air quotes original). Here are the final scorecards from 2020 - 2023:
As you can see, while you'll get the occasional nutjob (who, to be clear, absolutely should be condemned) who will seek to harm Muslims, Islam consistently dominates the board. Now again, not all Muslims, we get that. But HAMAS are an Islamic terror group. You can't stereotype all Muslims, but you can say that HAMAS, an Islamic terror group who only recently committed the worst massacre Israel has seen since the Holocaust, are Islamic terrorists who would absolutely celebrate Ramadan by increasing their efforts to destroy Israel.
It is naive to believe any ceasefire will lead to peace in Palestine, but to somehow connect incessant demands for a ceasefire to Ramadan is, ultimately, the peak of stupidity. But all of this does show something else. According to the Bible, it is hard for Satan to cast out Satan (e.g. Mark 3:23). Should we be surprised, therefore, that the same people calling for a ceasefire that would only benefit HAMAS are the people who have opposed all Godliness for decades?
Those who have persecuted Christian businesses for refusing to cater to gay "weddings", those who cried when Roe v. Wade was overturned, those who call it "child abuse" to teach Creationism to your own children, those who advocate puberty blockers for children, those who renamed pedophiles "Minor Attracted Persons", these are the same people who are calling for Israel to relent in their pursuit of a savage band of rapists. Satan cannot drive out Satan.
But if Satan cannot drive out Satan, that means there is a Satan to drive out. What does Scripture say? "We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one." (1 John 5:19). Israel isn't the only kingdom to be suffering with a hostage situation. Right now, there are literally billions of people in bondage to a monster more evil even than HAMAS. So what do we do? The word has the answer: "And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will." (2 Timothy 2:24-26).
The temptation, in this time, is to draw swords. In some cases, maybe literally, but even those who are not so inclined to violence are likely holding themselves back. I know I certainly am; the Holy Spirit has guided me to delete many a post, and change many a word said aloud. Had I not been a Christian, my approach to this issue would be very different indeed.
But the Lord says no. According to His word, He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but wants all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (Ezekiel 18:32; 33:11; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:1-4). That means from the most naive street slob who picks up a sign without knowing what he's protesting, all the way up to Yahya Sinwar himself, God wants them saved. So what do we do? We preach. We rebuke. We correct. Most of all, we pray, because these people are sinners, as we are, but they are not saved, as we are. They are taken captive by the devil, and ultimately, may share his fate. But through the same cross that saved us when we were in that state, they may be saved. Let us therefore seek that outcome. Only when the world knows God will the world know peace.