Zionism, Liberation and Religion: Gush Emunim and the Palestinian Theology of Liberation
Abstract
This paper examines two religious groups intimately involved with today’s conflict in
Israel and Palestine. It compares the messianic fundamentalism of Gush Emunim, a fringe
group of Israeli Jews responsible for settling sweeping areas of the West Bank, with a
movement of Palestinian Christians in the West Bank who espouse a politically engaged
theology of liberation. Ironically, both movements draw authority from the same body of
scripture using different hermeneutical methods of interpretation. Two opposing theologies
have led to irreconcilable claims over the contested lands.
The figures of Rabbis Abraham Isaac Kook and Tzvi Yehuda Kook are identified as
highly influential participants in the religious Zionist movement, as well as models for the
religious activism of Gush Emunim. The Kaballah-inspired desire for Jews to return to the
holy land was made possible with the Six-Day War of 1967, and the radical theology of T.Y.
Kook found its application in the form of Jewish settlements throughout the newly occupied
territories.
In opposition to Gush Emunim stand the Palestinian Christians, who must reconcile
their faith with passages in scripture that seem to legitimate Jewish claims over Palestine.
Through a contextualization of scripture the Palestinian liberation theology, as expounded by
figures like pastors Naim Ateek and Mitri Raheb, is a movement that seeks to empower
Palestinian Christians and seek reconciliation with their Israeli adversaries.
The paper concludes by contrasting models of peace as laid forth by both Gush
Emunim and the Palestinian Christians of the West Bank, assessing the viability of each.
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