Christians in Kerala stand by Israel
Christians from various denominations in Central Kerala gathered for a significant rally and prayer meeting in Pala on Sunday evening to express their support for Israel and the Jewish community in that nation. Despite heavy rain, hundreds, including women and children, attended the event.
The rally and prayer meeting were organized by the Christian Association and Alliance for Social Action (CAASA), a collaborative organization representing various Christian denominations in the region.
This gathering was a response to the large-scale demonstrations held by the Social Democratic Party of India, the front organization of the banned Popular Front of India, which condemned Israel for its actions against Hamas and Hezbollah.
Jaison Mazhuvancherry, a community leader who is battling a kidney ailment and undergoing dialysis, addressed the prayer meeting, saying, "The blessed nation Israel and God's Own children, the Jewish community, with whom we share a deep connection, are under attack by the terrorists of Hamas and Hezbollah. All we can do is pray from here for the safety and security of the blessed country and its people."
During the prayer meeting, participants lit candles to remember the victims of the terrorist attacks and prayed for the safety of people from other countries who were caught up in the conflict.
A significant number of individuals from Pala are employed in Israel, and those who spoke at the prayer meeting expressed their dismay at the apparent lack of interest from various political parties in the state regarding Israel. They expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for condemning the Hamas attack on Israel.
Jacob Varghese, the district chief of CAASA, said, "Our prayers are also with the soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) who are working to ensure the security of Israel and the well-being of Keralites working in the blessed country."
Professor Stanly Sebastian, an educator and community leader, voiced his shock at the perceived indifference of Christian spiritual leaders in Pala and Kottayam regarding the terrorist attacks against Israel. He emphasized the significance of Israel and Jerusalem for Christians and denounced the attacks, stating, "This must be strongly condemned."
