Rev. Japhet Ndhlovu is the executive minister of The United Church of Canada’s church in mission unit. He spoke with Emma Prestwich late last fall about how the church’s new principles- based approach to justice work applies to its stance on Israel and Palestine. Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire and hostage release deal just as this issue was going to press.
Emma Prestwich: Why did the church adopt a principles-based approach to its justice work?
Japhet Ndhlovu: It simply means it frees the communities of faith, the regions, the General Council staff to interject on any justice issue using those lenses of the principles-based approach. And so we can go back to the principles and say, okay, is this oppressive? For the particular case of Palestine and Israel, the principles themselves are the ones that have motivated us to say, in this case, we can support the BDS [Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions] strategies, and also recognize that Israel’s occupation of Palestine is indeed an apartheid system. And we’re joining other human rights organizations and movements who have said similar things, but we’re motivated by our own justice principles.
EP: When Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, many Jews considered it Israel’s 9/11. What was your reaction, and how do you understand that event?
JN: We were extremely appalled, of course, and that has been reflected in the statements, because we’ve always thought that’s not the best way to bring a sustainable, just peace to the situation of Palestine-Israel. And so we condemned the attacks immediately. And even our partners in the region, from Gaza itself and from Israel, they came out to condemn the attacks, and we amplified their voices.
We know that there is a longer history of settler colonialism, as we would put it, and that there have been grievances for over 75 years. But that decision by Hamas to commit their attacks and commit those massacres was uncalled for.
EP: Since Oct. 7, 2023, the United Church has made a variety of statements critiquing Israel. Why was it important for the church to take a public stand on this war?
JN: History will judge us as having stood on the right side of justice. It’s like the struggle against apartheid. I’m originally from Zambia. Our country stood up for justice, for freedom, for peace, for dignity, as did many human rights and church organizations. You may remember Archbishop Desmond Tutu calling for the destruction of the apartheid system. We believe that no matter how long unjust systems continue to oppress, suppress and compress the people, someday, the unjust systems do collapse.
EP: What kind of impact have these statements had, both within and beyond the church?
JN: A few people feel that we don’t have our facts right, and we should just allow this war to continue so that the genocide can continue. We’ve received a few voices who feel that these kinds of statements are unfair, because as far as they are concerned, Israel is the chosen nation of God. There are people who have those convictions and perpetuate that kind of theology.
Among the many Jewish groups, there are some who feel they can’t have anything to discuss with us as far as any interfaith dialogue is concerned.
What seems to happen is if you say no to killing people in Gaza, you’re antisemitic. If you say Israel should stop, opponents say you are refusing Israel the right to self-defence. I think the whole question of antisemitism is sometimes used to simply silence dissent.
EP: Some would say that attacking Israel is an attack on Jewish people’s right to exist. How do you understand the connection between Israel and the Jewish identity?
JN: The United Church of Canada has zero tolerance for antisemitism and all forms of racism. If you look at our 2003 document Bearing Faithful Witness, you will see clearly that the church has been very committed to seeking a just peace in Palestine and Israel, and that we do not believe that criticism of Israel is evidence of antisemitism. We believe that Israel has a right to exist. In the same vein, we believe that Palestine has a right to exist. The long-term commitment of the church has been about the need to deepen relationships and support voices of those Palestinian Christians, coupled also with a deep concern for the welfare and security of Israel.
More on Broadview:
EP: Israel’s attack on Gaza has resulted in death for tens of thousands of Palestinians, and a humanitarian disaster for survivors. What have the church’s partners in the region been calling on the church to do?
JN: Our Palestinian partners have been very clear. First and foremost, they say, as western churches, we are complicit with our governments who are selling arms to Israel that are bombing and killing their people. Our partners have said to us, “Talk to your government to stop this war. There’s a lot of death happening and a lot of destruction.”
They say we haven’t challenged our governments enough to call for peace and to call for a ceasefire. Governments do make statements, but at the moment, as it seems, Israel is behaving as though it is above the law.
We have partners on both sides, and because those on the Jewish side also work for peace in the region, they have made similar calls.
EP: What motivates you to keep speaking out on this devastating war?
JN: It’s the call of the church to promote human dignity. We believe that all human beings are created in the image of God, whether they be Palestinians or Israelis. We are motivated as a church to speak truth to power, to be prophetic so that at the end of it all, how glorious and wonderful it would be for all to experience the abundant life that God has promised for all human beings.
***
Emma Prestwich is Broadview’s digital editor.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity. It first appeared in Broadview’s March 2025 issue with the title “History Will Judge Us as Having Stood on the Right Side of Justice.”
Thanks for reading!
Did you know Broadview is the only media organization in Canada dedicated to covering progressive Christian news and views?
We are also a registered charity and rely on subscriptions and tax-deductible donations to keep our trustworthy, independent and award-winning journalism alive.
Please help us continue to share stories that open minds, inspire meaningful action and foster a world of compassion. Don’t wait. We can’t do it without you.
Here are some ways you can support us:
Thank you so very much for your generous support! Together, we can make a difference.
Jocelyn Bell, Editor/Publisher, CEO and Trisha Elliott, Executive Director
Comments