A Palestinian Christian’s Perspecrtive on the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: Alex Awad

Alex co-founded Bethlehem Bible College in Bethlehem (yes, that one) and served as a professor and dean of students for many years. Alex received his MA in Missiology (1989) from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore KY; MA in Education (1976) from N. Georgia University in Dahlonega GA; BS in Secondary Education (1973) from Lee University in Cleveland, TN; BA in Biblical Education (1970) from Lee University in Cleveland, TN. He has also been a pastor and missionary for the United Methodist Church. Having lived in Israel from 1946-2015, Alex has seen a LOT! He shares his perspecive about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, as a palestinian Christian who has lived through much fo the conflict.
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[@kpsl4]

So appreciate you having him on Preston Arabs are historically known for their kindness hospitality and loyalty. Sadly the media has not highlighted it.

[@christophertlind]

While I have no doubt you kicked a bit of a hornets nest with this one Preston, I really respect your willingness to have it. While the tendency will be for people to fall back to their tribe, the conversation highlights the complexity of these situations. Nothing is ever as simple as it seems on the surface, and we often still miss the forest for the trees. While his lived experiences has shaped his point of view, as it would anyone, I thought he brought a relatively objective point of view to the dialogue. Most importantly, he rightly highlighted how we so often get caught up in worldly things like physical land boundaries and cultural heritage versus our greater allegiance to and unity in Christ. Keep up the work building bridges instead of walls.

[@tabethacordell3352]

Agreed 100%! Well said!

[@jefffenske1958]

TOTALLY true! Thanks for allowing the truth to be heard, Preston!

[@fadius17]

Thank you for speaking the truth Mr. Awad. People lose their sense of humanity when they become so indoctrinated. You can always sense who understands the essence of Jesus's teachings. It is mind boggling that some people think Jesus would condone land theft, killing, and subjugation of a native people in the name of God.

[@fredzurcher7118]

Israeli invasion is the invasion of Gog and Magog.

[@ziadzahran1453]

I remember your brother’s peaceful work during the first intifada in the 1980s. He was expelled by Israel, especially when he became so popular worldwide.

[@jdaze1]

Put NOT your trust in Princes nor the SON OF MAN in whom there is NO SALVATION psalm 146:3.

[@ricoyochanan]

This Palestinian Christian left out a few details, and was not even challenged. First, the Jews lost 80% of the land promised to them in the San Remo meetings, from 1920-1922. Jordan was given that portion. Then, Palestinians turned down a homeland twice, 1947 and 2000. Don't blame Israel for failed Arab leader blunders. The Jews accepted their portion and became a nation again on May 14, 1948. Immediately, 5 Arab nations declared war on them and it took Israel a year to defeat these nations and save their nation. Multiple Arab nations declared war on Israel again, in 1956, 1967, and 1973, and Israel defeated them all, saving their nation again and again. The Palestinian Charter, Article 15 calls for the elimination of Israel. Also, the Hamas Charter calls for the same. There are no such elimination articles in Israel's founding documents. And this Palestinian Christian forgot to mention the rash of suicide bombings during the early 2000's that were directed at Israeli buses, pizza shops filled with Israeli teenagers, restaurants, and other public places, killing and maiming many. The Palestinian authorities rewarded this barbaric behavior by awarding 25 thousand dollars apiece, to the suicide bomber families. After years of this terror, Israel constructed a 447 mile long wall, that reduced Palestinian, bombing, gun, knife attacks on Israeli citizens by 99+%.

[@mathateuo1653]

Praise the Lord! We support BBC!

[@MinisterOfCats]

At 1:50-- "THE Bethlehem, in Israel". Get your facts straight. Bethlehem is, according to U.N. terminology, in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt).

[@KnutNukem]

Well, that was pretty one sided As far as I know it's everything but safe for say Orthodox Jews going to Bethlehem

[@EricTheYounger]

Preston, you’re coming at this from completely the wrong perspective. The best arguments in favor of Israel don’t have to do with the Old Testament promise, and anyone who argues seriously about this topic doesn’t approach it from that angle. The claim has to do with the fact that there was a significant already-existing Jewish population in Mandatory Palestine in 1948, and there was a need to provide a home for the massive Jewish diaspora in the wake of the holocaust. The modern state of Israel makes total sense in this context. Most of the land was not “stolen”, the pre-existing Jewish population had obtained their homes through completely fair and legal means. And while it’s true that a large number of Palestinians were unfortunately expelled from the land in 1948, the causes of this has not be completely determined. Israeli paramilitary attacks on civilians were NEVER officially sanctioned and in fact were condemned by the government. The same standard does not hold to the Arab side which actively targeted Jewish civilians. In fact an equal or larger number of Jewish civilians were displaced following 1948. In addition, the “youth” that are being incarcerated are terrorists. Just read about the bombings and shootings (targeting civilians) that occur almost weekly in the West Bank area. These people don’t feel a true sense of justice but have just been indoctrinated to feel hatred of Israel. And if Hamas would stop hiding their military forces amongst civilians, maybe there would be less collateral damage. It’s insane that he calls 1948 and 1967 “genocides”, when in both cases it was the Arab nations that were the aggressors, and it was Arabs, not the Jews, who had a policy of targeting civilians settlements and executing prisoners (just look up the Kfar Etzion massacre). It’s hilarious that he refers to Al-Jazeera as “balanced” when simply reading any of it’s articles will show it is literally one of the most slanted, propaganda-filled news organizations in existence. 41:14 “when we lost two thirds of OUR COUNTRY to Israel”. The ridiculousness of this statement is so unfathomable. A Palestinian state did not even exist until 1988. Pre 1948, THERE WAS NO COUNTRY. It was the British Mandate, and then the Ottoman Empire before that. 42:30 “these are our neighbors, we have to live with them” how can he say that, when even today 60% of Palestinians want a single Palestinian state (from Mediterranean to Jordan) and eliminate Israel?

[@bettybop9636]

This Palestinian Christian is not rightly interpreting scripture. God is not done with the Jewish people. Read Daniel 9. There will come a day in the very soon future, I believe, when in a 7 year window of time called the Tribulation God will deal with His people Israel. Read Romans 9-11.

[@jdaze1]

That verse is referring to the gentiles. Jer 16:19-21 KJV. If you don't know how the bible defines certain groups of people you will never figure out the bible. Using a lexicon is helpful.

[@ritamalik]

Oh He is more than done with the Jewish people! Especially after the genocide that they are yet again committing in Gaza as we speak, killing children and ordinary people, if I thought God was not done with them I would have been done with God! But thanks be to God, the God that I encounter in Jesus Christian would be appalled by their selfish and entitled and murderous deeds!

[@nuritgrunfeld8340]

Yes, that was one sided... and a few inconvenient truths omitted. Israel has offered peace time and time again. Also, in 1948 the Arabs rejected any homeland for the Jews which was minimal land where their were existing jewish settlements. Settlers by their nature are religious, there aren't secular settlers. There was a second world war and refugees everywhere. The Arabs weren't the only ones displaced. The equivalent number of Jews were displaced, from Arab lands after the establishment of Israel, but ther difference is that Israel took in their refugees and Arab countries did not. Many people were poor and fatherless after 1948 war. While sad, that wasn't a situation that was just limited to the Palestinians. The Jews decided to build a country and the Arabs decided not to. When Israel left Gaza they left a green house economy for the Palestinians which they destroyed. Everytime Israel offered peace, Israel got intifada and terror in return. So yes the Palestinian plight is indeed very sad but there is alot of blame to go around. Why not mention the fact that billions of dollars of humanitarian aid has been thrown to them and their corrupt leaders keep for themselves as their populations are impoverished. A sad reality that must be explained fully and balanced.

[@EricTheYounger]

Thanks for writing this up. I agree this perspective was very one-sided.

[@1991jj]

It's interesting that you say his perspective is one sided as if yours isnt when he lives there and you don't. I'm sure he would correct alot of your narrative about Palestine-Israeli conflict considering he is also a scholar.

[@jdaze1]

You clearly don't know what you're talking about.

[@nuritgrunfeld8340]

@@1991jj I actually do live here.

[@nuritgrunfeld8340]

@@jdaze1 really? Am I to just take your word for it? No thanks.

[@eslinc]

The host of this podcast should have done his homework on the conflict between Israel and the Arabs before interviewing his guest. If he had, he would have been able to ask more perceptive questions.