I wonder!

In the annals of history, specific forms of the media have wielded profound influence, shaping the course of nations and leaving a lasting impact.

Adolf Hitler's "Mein Kampf" stands as a chilling example of how ideology, when weaponized, can unleash far-reaching horrors. Today, as we grapple with the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, there emerges a disturbing question: Could the Bible serve a similar purpose in this tragic narrative?

The biblical narrative, proclaiming the Promised Land as Palestine and a divine promise to the Jews millennia ago, draws parallels to the 1940s. During that era, the Church, including Pope Pius XII, and global leaders hesitated to condemn Hitler's atrocities publicly. A parallel silence now envelops the world, particularly the influential United States, as it witnesses the unfolding tragedies in the Middle East.

The unsettling comparisons extend to the utilization of modern propaganda machinery. Much like the past, where powerful narratives were crafted, today's digital giants, such as Facebook and others, play a role in disseminating information that can shape public opinion on the conflict.

The provocative question arises: "Is Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu evolving into a contemporary equivalent of the Fuhrer of the West?" Are troubling echoes of the past resounding in the rhetoric of a 'master race' -a term eerily reminiscent of Hitler's Mein Kampf—amidst the Israeli-Palestinian dynamics?

A recent quote from Netanyahu further intensifies these reflections: "Nothing will stop us. We are going on to the end, until victory, Nothing less." This sentiment echoes the determination expressed by Hitler in 1925, when he wrote, "Hence today I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord."

Now, think about the actual irony: Israel claims the West Bank as a promised land, but they're sealing off roads and raiding towns, including Bethlehem, which is a significant place in their beliefs. Bethlehem is where Jesus, considered the King of the Jews, was born. How does it make sense to fight for a land you believe God promised when you're attacking a place with such religious importance?

The sad irony deepens as questions arise: Will Israel ever apologize for the ongoing tragedy in Gaza, much like Germany did for the Holocaust? The unthinkable becomes an interesting question, "If reparations were to be made, from which kitty would Israel pay?

The tragic transformation of Israel, once a victim of a gruesome genocide, into a perpetrator attempting to eradicate the Palestinian people through warfare and starvation is both heartbreaking and extremely painful to witness.

The stark reality is underscored in a tweet by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday, 23 December, "four out of five of the hungriest people anywhere in the world are in Gaza."

The day before, he highlighted an unprecedented toll, saying, "136 of our colleagues in Gaza have been killed in 75 days – something we have never seen in UN history."

Amidst these grim circumstances, the internet has echoed since 7 October that Israel has broken 65 UN Resolutions without facing any consequences.

Yet, on the eve of Christmas, the plea for a ceasefire, at the very least, from the minorities of the world reverberates.

And they're not asking for much – just a mere pause to at least feed the starving people of Gaza.

In conclusion, if the Bible is the book of the times, one can only hope that, joy will?indeed come in the morning for the People of Gaza at the break of dawn on 1 January 2024.

Jemima Beukes is a direct descendent of the 1904-1908 hashtag#Nama and hashtag#Ovaherero hashtag#Genocide survivors.