Freedom from Oppression for ALL on Passover and Easter

Recently, my sister attended a lecture on genocide in Rwanda and wrote these words on her facebook: "What makes us decide that one human is more human than another? Arent we all the same? Are we not equal?" I am reminded of these words as we enter the Passover holiday and soon Easter in Jerusalem.

Passover is the celebration of when the Jews were freed from slavery in Egypt. It is a story of God's liberation. This story has been used in many quests for Freedom, such as freedom from Apartheid in South Africa and Civil Rights in the United States. In this country, especially for the Palestinians, it is hard to use this story as an expression of their hope for freedom, because it is this very story that is often used against them.

As a Christian, I do not read the story of Moses and the freedom of Jews from slavery as a story with a message only for the Jewish people. I read it as a story with God's universal message of hope and freedom for all the humans he has created on earth. I see all humans as equal and all deserving of freedom from oppression.

At the very time of Passover, a celebration of Freedom and liberation, the oppression of the Palestinian people continues and worsens. The Israeli government has announced closures of the West Bank and Gaza. They have also committed to increasing security around the Old City of Jerusalem. All these measures, lessen the freedom of the Palestinians. Those with permits from the West Bank and Gaza to celebrate Easter, may not be able to come to Jerusalem and celebrate. Even Christians in the Old City of Jerusalem, face restrictions of their freedom of worship, as the increased security within Jerusalem could affect their ability to get to church.

"What makes us decide that one human is more human than another?" I ask, "What makes a government (and the world who supports this government) decide which humans deserve more freedom?" As we reflect on the story of Moses and the Israelites, I hope and pray that we desire and work towards freedom for all people, so that one people's freedom of worship does not become more important than another's. As we reflect on Easter, I hope and pray that we begin to live in the footsteps of Jesus who said:

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor." (Luke 4:18-19)

For more on the issue of holiday closures for the Palestinians read:
Military Closure for West Bank on Passover
PA: Jewish freedom holiday restricts Palestinians

(Image depicting Palestinians going to Jerusalem through military checkpoints by Zaki baboun, a local Bethlehem artist)