Gaza: Mark Ruffalo, Macklemore and the Cost of Speaking Out

Three incidents in recent days exposed the moral bankruptcy of our world today. Mark Ruffalo called out genocide and apartheid in Gaza and those enabling it.

He was accused of antisemitism, yet another weaponization of that charge to silence those who speak out.

Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Zur released Natza, featuring the Israeli military and intelligence insiders describing how civilian deaths were knowingly accepted in attacks on Gaza.

And the response? Uproar in Israel, even the Israeli cultural minister calling them traitors, and he sought to revoke their citizenship.

And singer Macklemore was dropped from the remaining US dates of Ed Sheeran's tour after saying, "Free Palestine."

Now, do you see the pattern? Instead of going after those responsible for the killing, starvation, and destruction, we go after those who expose it. Friends, saying no to genocide should not require courage. It should be basic humanity.

And while these voices have paid a price for speaking out, let us remember where extraordinary courage has been displayed.

Palestinians have endured this genocide while speaking its truth to the world and have been doubted, dismissed, and even demonized for doing so for far too long.

History will remember who committed these crimes, who enabled them, and who remained silent, and it will remember who spoke.

Gaza has indeed become the moral compass of our world, and I wish more faith leaders, pastors, and theologians would find the courage to speak as well. For scripture says, "Speak out for those who cannot speak, and take no part in the unfaithful works of darkness, but instead expose them."

This is not the time for silence.