By Palestine Chronicle Staff  

The said October 7, 2023, marked a turning point, as “The world has begun to smile at us and frown at Israel.”

Father Manuel Musallam, a former parish priest of the Latin Church in Gaza and a member of the Islamic-Christian Committee for the Defence of Holy Sites, has issued a sharp rebuke to those he accused of “stabbing the Resistance in the back,” declaring that armed resistance is the only path to Palestinian liberation, the Middle East Monitor (MEMO) reported.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Musallam said that each time Israel carries out “a brutal massacre” in Gaza—destroying a restaurant, school, refugee camp, or hospital and killing civilians—some individuals rush to blame the resistance instead of confronting “the real perpetrator.”

“Shame on savage Israel, and shame on all who remain lenient, silent, or compromising with this Israeli monster,” he wrote, asserting that “the dream of liberation will only be achieved through armed resistance, not through popular resistance, security coordination, or recognition of Israel.”

Musallam described Palestinian armed struggle as a legitimate right of peoples under occupation, noting that “all free nations gained their independence through struggle and sacrifice, as the Palestinian people are doing today.”

He added that October 7, 2023, marked a turning point, saying: “The world has begun to smile at us and frown at Israel. People now recognise our right and accuse the occupation of war crimes and genocide.”

‘God’s Promise’

Concluding his post, Musallam wrote: “I may be dreaming now, but I will wake up to reality. Those who think this dream is impossible will remain awake under the yoke of occupation until God’s promise — the promise of the Hereafter and the promise of Gaza — is fulfilled.”

Father Musallam is widely known for his staunch support of Palestinian unity and resistance.

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During Israel’s 2014 assault on Gaza, he became a symbol of interfaith solidarity for his statement: “If they demolish your mosques, raise the call to prayer from our churches.”

He has also campaigned against the seizure of Palestinian properties and religious sites in Jerusalem.

In a statement in 2021, he wrote: “We will not allow the stealing of Muslim homes in Sheikh Jarrah, Silwan and Wadi Al-Joz, and for (Palestinians) to be sent to the diaspora.”

He also previously urged Christians in Jerusalem and across historic Palestine to “stand side-by-side along with Muslim brothers, defending Al-Aqsa Mosque from the Israeli aggression.”

Staggering Death Toll

Starting on October 7, 2023, the Israeli military, with American support, launched a genocidal war against the people of Gaza. This campaign has so far resulted in the deaths of over 69,000 Palestinians, with more than 170,000 wounded. The vast majority of the population has been displaced, and the destruction of infrastructure is unprecedented since World War II. Thousands of people are still missing.

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In addition to the military assault, the Israeli blockade has caused a man-made famine, leading to the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians—mostly children—with hundreds of thousands more at risk.

Despite widespread international condemnation, little has been done to hold Israel accountable. The nation is currently under investigation for genocide by the International Court of Justice, while accused war criminals, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are officially wanted by the International Criminal Court.

(PC, MEMO)