Here’s the gist of what’s happening with a prayer…

As tensions in the Middle East reach a boiling point, Israel launches a military campaign against Hamas, while U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken touches down for some emergency peace talks. The situation’s complexity is magnified as Saudi Arabia and Iran—usually not best buddies—discuss the conflict. Netanyahu forms a unity government in Israel, aimed at putting a united face on an increasingly fragmented situation. Meanwhile, Harvard becomes a mini-battlefield as student groups pen a pro-Palestinian letter, leading to heated debates among alumni who've held some of the nation's highest offices.

Dear Lord, in a world enflamed by conflict and divisive opinions, we pray for Your peace that transcends all human understanding. Grant wisdom to leaders, both political and academic, as they navigate intricate and highly charged issues. May our words be infused with love and respect, even as we stand firm in our convictions. Amen.

Israel forms Unity Government & Harvard Students Back Palestine

With the situation in the Middle East escalating rapidly, Israel has undertaken a military campaign to dismantle Hamas, the group designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., Israel, and others. This occurs as Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Israel for talks geared towards averting a wider regional conflict.

Striking Aims: The Israeli Objective
On Thursday, Israel’s military issued its clearest statement on its aims: to capture or kill all leaders of Hamas, neutralize its militant units, and inhibit the group's ability to govern Gaza. "We plan to get to every one of these people—every single one of them,” said Israeli military spokesman Richard Hecht. Overnight airstrikes targeted a Hamas unit purportedly responsible for recent attacks killing 1,300 Israelis. The military strategy involves rooting out weapons caches, launchpads, and key personnel, made easier through interrogating captured militants.

A Domino Effect: Regional Repercussions
The burgeoning conflict risks igniting a wider crisis. Israel has summoned about 300,000 reserve troops, positioning them near the Gaza border. This move comes as Israeli forces have also exchanged fire with Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon. If Hezbollah joins the war fully, the repercussions for both Israel and Lebanon could be devastating.

During his visit, Blinken is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and cabinet members. He will proceed to Jordan for additional meetings aimed at dissuading other states and militant groups from joining the conflict.

International Intricacies: Saudi and Iranian Involvement
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi have discussed the conflict. This marks a significant move, considering the recent détente between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The Saudi Press Agency reported that Riyadh is exerting "maximum effort" to prevent further escalation. As for Iran, U.S. officials stress the importance of Tehran not taking adverse actions during the current crisis.

Humanitarian Crisis: Gaza Under Siege
Israel’s offensive has led to the death of more than 1,300 Palestinians, according to Gaza officials. The region, already impoverished, now faces a dire humanitarian situation with supplies of food, water, and fuel dwindling, as Israel has laid a total siege on the enclave.

Changing Winds: Israel’s Political Arena
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formed a national unity government involving members of the opposition and former military leaders. This development comes in the wake of criticisms against Netanyahu and aims to establish some unity after a period of societal and political polarization in Israel.

"The most important action [now] is to establish the unity of the nation,” Netanyahu said during a televised speech. Along with Benny Gantz, head of the National Unity party, Netanyahu aims to bolster both public and military confidence in the leadership’s wartime decisions.

The newly-formed war cabinet also includes Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and two observers: former chief of staff Eizenkot and Ron Dermer, a trusted ally of Netanyahu. Yair Lapid, the head of the opposition, is also invited to join, an inclusion that could boost Israel’s foreign diplomacy.

Harvard Controversy
In the wake of all this, a recent pro-Palestinian letter penned by a coalition of 34 student organizations at Harvard University has ignited a heated debate among its prominent alumni, leading some to call for the university's intervention against the signatories. The student letter from Harvard laid the blame for the conflict squarely on Israel, citing decades of occupation and describing Israel as an "apartheid regime."

The organizations endorsing the letter range from Muslim and Palestinian support groups to other groups like Harvard Jews for Liberation and the African American Resistance Organization.

The uproar from the alumni community was swift. Lawrence Summers, former U.S. Treasury Secretary and Harvard President Emeritus, criticized the current university leadership for its silence, stating it made the institution appear "neutral towards acts of terror against the Jewish state of Israel." Republican U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik and Senator Ted Cruz, both Harvard graduates, also expressed their strong disapproval, calling the student letter "abhorrent and heinous."

Harvard President Claudine Gay and senior leadership, including 15 deans, issued a statement expressing their heartbreak over the "death and destruction unleashed by the attack by Hamas that targeted citizens in Israel this weekend." However, the statement conspicuously avoided mentioning the contentious student letter or the reaction it generated. Some have viewed this as a missed opportunity for the university to take a definitive stance on a polarizing issue, particularly given Harvard's influence in U.S. politics; the university has produced eight former U.S. Presidents and currently boasts four Supreme Court Justices among its alumni.

This instance at Harvard is a microcosm for America’s diverse views on the Israel-Palestine issue, which has seen increasing division along partisan lines for years now. It’s understandable that there are diverse views on the historical treatment of Palestinians in Gaza. The situation is rife with controversy, and there’s no doubt that the historical tension is the fault of both sides. What seems distasteful, however, is making Israel solely responsible for the slaughter of children and kidnapping of elderly to use as hostage human shields. The views lack nuance, reflection, and an ability to assign balanced responsibility toward decision-makers in Hamas who committed those acts.

The storm stirred by the pro-Palestinian letter from Harvard students and the consequential alumni outrage highlights the intricate and emotional complexities surrounding the Israel-Palestine issue. It also puts the spotlight on the responsibilities of academic institutions in navigating the precarious balance between academic freedom and the sensitivities of their broader communities. Whether Harvard will take any action in response to its alumni's concerns remains to be seen. For now, the university remains at the center of a fervent debate that shows no signs of abating, a situation that reflects the larger, ongoing struggles in the Middle East and the world's grappling with how to address them.

Reflection
The situation in the Middle East is complex and volatile, with a delicate balance of regional and international forces at play. Blinken’s mission, aimed at preventing a more widespread conflict, comes at a critical time. Simultaneously, Israel's shift toward a unity government underlines the seriousness of the situation and the deep impacts it has domestically. The situation at Harvard highlights the diverse views even within America’s most esteemed institutions.

While the world heats up with hate, we will pray for a peace that surpasses all understanding. The sad reality is that as war intensifies, the opportunity for division within previously-united groups increases. No doubt, as you darken the halls of your workplaces, step into our churches, or sit down for Holiday meals, you will speak to people with different views than you. Let’s pray that everything we say will be tempered with love but never sacrifice on conviction.

Thank you for joining us today on PRAY NEWS. It is our aim to be informed and transformed. We pray today you will proceed with hope, love, and determination to be a force for good.