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Members“I have no words”: What a handful of Dutch Christians built—and learned—after Oct. 7

A small group of volunteers from the Netherlands came to help rebuild an animal therapy center near Gaza. In the process, they confronted the reality of Israel’s war—and the distortions shaping opinion back home.

Author Ryan Jones with Dutch Christian volunteers Jos and Koert, at Kibbutz Sa'ad. Photo Ryan Jones
Author Ryan Jones with Dutch Christian volunteers Jos and Koert, at Kibbutz Sa'ad. Photo Ryan Jones

In the wake of October 7, when Hamas militants invaded Israel’s southern communities in the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, I was openly critical of the Christian world—particularly its loudly pro-Israel wing.

Where were the masses? Where were the planeloads of volunteers? Where were the Christians who insist Israel lies at the center of their theology when the country was bleeding, buried in funerals, and staring down a war it did not seek?

A few came.

And the more time I spent with Israelis who encountered them, the more I wondered whether the small number was not a weakness—but a strength. When thousands arrive, it is a movement. When ten arrive, it is personal. Perhaps that is why their presence landed with such force.

Not just prayer from afar, but presence. Not just donations wired from safety, but hands blistered by work. Not just bus tours and Jerusalem rallies, but spending time in the homes of those most affected.

A quiet mission in the Gaza Envelope

The group—ten Dutch Christians—spent a week at Kibbutz...

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Patrick Callahan

This is an example of author bio/description. Beard fashion axe trust fund, post-ironic listicle scenester. Uniquely mesh maintainable users rather than plug-and-play testing procedures.

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