Staged or Not, Gaza’s Children Are Suffering — and Christians Must Not Look Away
Opinion: A former CBN viewer calls on the church and Christian media to move beyond political alliances and embrace the compassion Jesus taught.
In a recent news report, CBN sought to present evidence that some Palestinian reporters are staging visuals of children starving in Gaza. In the segment, they used the term “Gazawood” and stated that anyone believing the images was “stupid.”
As a devout Christian who used to watch this news channel especially in my earlier years of faith, I must say I am deeply grieved and disappointed to see the lack of humanity that has arose in the church and media over the past years.
When it comes to this issue, I am confused as to why, in order to appease our western rites and forced political alliance with Israel, we must circle around the proven fact that :
According to Credible humanitarian organizations, such as UNICEF , DW, WHO and Save the Children, thousands of children have died in the current conflict, and that many more are facing severe malnutrition. The UN estimates, significant portions of Gaza’s infrastructure (hospitals, water systems, and other essential facilities) have been destroyed or rendered inoperable.
We avoid acknowledging the documented fact that more than 18,000 children have died. Children are suffering. Children are starving—largely because an estimated 66% of infrastructure, including hospitals that provide safe childbirth and pediatric care, has been bombed or destroyed
The truth is, whether or not these pictures are staged (which, there is still no proper, substantial evidence showing this) we know these kids are indeed hungry and brutally suffering- and that is well documented. No kid ever in the world should be treated this way.
Even if the disputed photographs were proven staged, the core facts would remain: children in Gaza are suffering. The discussion over the imagery risks distracting us from the urgent humanitarian needs.
We call ourselves “Pro-life” but I wonder to what degree, and to whom does that apply to?
Whether images are genuine or not, the disproportionate harm being experienced by children in Gaza is undeniable. Yet many Christians in the West appear apathetic, avoiding engagement with this suffering because it is uncomfortable or politically sensitive.
I’m sad to see that many are not following the teachings of Christ and are instead using their faith as cover up and excuse for deep seated xenophobia.
Follow the ways of Jesus and learn to have compassion (in Latin means “to suffer with”) on all please.
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