CHARLESTON — Wheeling-Charleston Diocese Bishop Mark Brennan says he’s continuing to pray for the people of Israel as the war with Hamas rages on.
Brennan released a letter this week saying he still believes Israel can weaken Hamas but that more humanitarian aid is needed and that an international conference should be convened to work out a solution.
“Israel’s initial response to Hamas’ October 7 attack was just; its current conduct of the war is causing greater evils than the one it seeks to eliminate,” Brennan wrote in his letter.
Brennan said as more time passes, the more Israel needs support.
“Israel is losing support it initially had in its response. It’s losing that support even from many of its allies in the world particularly the United States and that’s very unfortunate because I think Israel was justified in responding the way it did,” Brennan said on Wednesday’s MetroNews “Talkline.”
The U.S. has to find a way to target the ones who are causing harm to innocent civilians, Brennan said.
“That’s exactly what the task that faces the Israeli Defense Force, how to target Hamas fighters rather than just kill civilians,” he said.
In his letter, Brennan also talked about how Israel has a great defense.
“Israel knows how to fight back,” he said. “Hamas certainly doesn’t have that ability.”
“Talkline” Host Hoppy Kercheval countered Brennan saying Hamas has the capability to destroy human lives.
“Hamas is not capable of eliminating the State of Israel. It cannot do that,” Brennan said.”
“It’s capable of killing, raping and murdering Jews,” Kercheval said.
“That’s separate,” Brennan said.
White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby said this week he thinks Israel can eliminate Hamas’s ability to stage attacks inside Gaza, but that the Israeli military still has much work to do.
According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, the reported death toll stands at nearly 22,000 since the war broke out on Oct. 7, 2023.
City government leaders across the U.S., including Charleston, have called for a cease fire in Gaza. There was outrage Wednesday night when Charleston City Council voted to table a cease fire resolution proposed by Councilmember Joe Solomon, who is Jewish.
Members of the city’s Jewish and Muslim communities chanted “Shame! Shame! Shame!” when Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin announced the proposed resolution had been tabled.
Former Mayor Danny Jones applauded Goodwin for doing her job.
“I think the mayor showed her leadership skills last night and her patience,” Jones said on Thursday’s MetroNews “Talkline.”
Jones went on to say it’s none of the city’s business to get involved with what’s going on in the Middle East.
“Charleston City Council needs to stay focused on what’s good for Charleston and don’t do anything to make any outside enemies. That’s what that resolution would’ve done,” Jones said.
Supporters of the resolution said it’s meant to prevent more casualties in Gaza. The resolution came after the city sent a letter to the state’s congressional delegation about the issue.
