What does theology have to do with the events in Gaza?
The New York Times gives a useful insight into what has been happening in Gaza - if you are not really sure what the fuss is about, this article will give you some idea.
Over the weekend, a group of Nottingham students who were occupying a lecture theatre to express solidarity with the Palestinian people of Gaza was forcibly removed by the university. According to the University of Nottingham, this was done to avoid disruption to the education of the student body, and the removal took place “sensibly, professionally, and expeditiously”. I was not involved, but I spoke to one person who took part in the occupation, and he agreed to a brief anonymous interview. This is worth reading, particularly for the reflection on the relationship between theology and the recent events in the Gaza strip. I asked him three questions.
1) Tell us about the University’s response to the “Occupation Nottingham” protest.
The main problem was that they refused to negotiate with us. They refused to speak to us in the room that we occupied. Plenty of discussion was happening in the room, but the University wouldn’t take part. They didn’t want to talk about what we were saying at all. At least at the occupation in Cambridge, the group was given the dignity of having their demands specifically addressed, even though those demands weren’t granted. Furthermore, the University of Oxford, the University of Bradford, the London School of Economics and Political Science, The University of Sussex, The University of Leeds, University of Warwick, Kings College London, School of African and Oriental Studies, London etc, all not only talked to the protesters and negotiated, but allowed many of their demands to be met, and dignified them with a response. The University of Nottingham simply told us to leave the room. They gave us the offer of a token future dialogue, without actually engaging directly with us or our specific concerns. The threats and physical violence involved in our removal from the room just seem out of step with a supposedly educational environment.
2) How do the events of the last weekend relate to the conflict in Gaza?
Our suffering is not at all comparable to the suffering of those in Gaza – there is no direct parallel. But it does show how the dynamic of power operates generally. The protest is not about us facing off the University management – although we are opposed to the University continuing to accept funding from companies that have contributed to the manufacture of the F16 fighters used in the recent conflict… We just want to make people aware of what’s going on. For me, the main point of the occupation was this: The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza needs to be recognised – as does Britain’s arms trade to the state of Israel, which apparently increased during the ceasefire. That’s our tax money. We have some responsibility toward other people.
3) My own academic interest is theology – specifically, Biblical studies. Why should these issues concern me?
It’s quite stark that, although this is not a purely religious conflict, it already involves theological assumptions and arguments. So a critical theological voice – in terms of theological exegesis, reflection on what “peace” is, reflection on what “conflict” is – these things can make a contribution. In Christianity there are also traditions of peace-making and discussion of forgiveness. Right now I find it difficult to talk about forgiveness – but maybe, along with the pursuit of justice – this is where things need to end up.
Theology wants to talk about everything as though it has cosmic significance – as part of a cosmic narrative. And so the things that are done on earth are given wider significance. My question is: How can academic theology evaluate, critique, and inform the way in which this happens?
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