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View all search resultsEaster in the midst of war
This year's Easter brings a different kind of anxiety: the US-Israeli war on Iran is weaponized, especially through social media, as a religious conflict to stir fanaticism and radicalize the public.
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A man stands on the impact site of an Israeli strike on April 1, 20226, amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, as the United States-Israel war on Iran continues, in Beirut, Lebanon. (Reuters/Alkis Konstantinidis)
F
ollowing the end of World War II, this year’s Easter will be remembered as one of the most horrifying in history for Christians. This shift in perspective comes as both the United States and Israel have cited biblical texts to justify their ambitions to dismantle Iran, a path that carries a devastating cost for billions across the global population.
Despite the stakes, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appear indifferent, driven by their own political ambitions. Ultimately, only their respective citizens can stop these two men from destroying the global economy; however, so far, no one has been able to restrain them. Both leaders use the Bible as a pretext to invade Iran, though we must also admit that Iran is not necessarily an innocent victim in this geopolitical struggle.
In predominantly Muslim Indonesia, potential security troubles, such as attacks by small hardline groups against churchgoers, are a constant concern for Christians during Holy Week. While police and security personnel are deployed to guard churches in major cities, this year brings a different kind of anxiety: the US-Israeli war on Iran is weaponized, especially through social media, as a religious conflict to stir fanaticism and radicalize the public.
Easter is Christianity’s most important liturgy, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after the death on the cross. This year, however, the celebration is marred by a US President who clearly believes he possesses the divine power to reshape the world as he sees fit.
As reported by various media outlets, millions of Americans, including members of the military, believe that Jesus has anointed Trump to attack Iran to trigger Armageddon and herald the Second Coming. It is staggering that in the world’s largest democracy, an authoritarian leader has managed to consolidate such nearly absolute power.
The rhetoric from Netanyahu has been equally provocative. On Palm Sunday, Israel initially denied entry to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, one of Christianity’s holiest sites in Jerusalem. Only after a public outcry, including pressure from the US, did Netanyahu allow the church to open.
Furthermore, his recent commentary has deeply offended many, notably when he remarked during a press conference that "history proves that, unfortunately and unhappily, Jesus Christ has no advantage over Genghis Khan."
