On the 12th Day of Xmas, in Gibraltar’s Eliott Hotel, I introduced Samuel to my “95 Theses on Gaza”.
The 11-Part theses feature headlines, excerpts, and photographs all relating to the current situation in Gaza. Similar to my other past Theses, I have styled it as SleuthER, reminiscent of Martin Luther’s Ninety-five Theses, which launched the Protestant Reformation in England.
I plan to distribute my “95 Points” across Gibraltar in order to rouse Gibraltarians to the disgusting injustice happening in Gaza – to the Palestinians. The government is pro – “State of Israel”, and have a heavy hand in deeming what they feel appropriate to message, but the truth of the matter is Gibraltar includes many Muslims, who no doubt know the truth of what is happening, but remain silent, at least publicly. And people who do step up like Jayne Wink, get knocked down. We cannot allow the Palomas to be the only voice of Gibraltar, not when thousands of children and innocent Palestinians are being massacred.
I cannot sit by and say nothing – do nothing. The “Theses” document is my voice of what I know to be happening. And it paints a true picture without anyone needing to go any further than just reading the headlines. Possibly, a headline or excerpt will interest you; and you’ll select the hyperlink to learn more.
Samuel’s “Christ in the Rubble” Display
Perhaps, the Theses will inspire you, like it did Samuel, who became focused on Part 7, entitled “Faith Leaders Speaking Out”, with the now famous image of baby Jesus in the rumble.
Samuel was moved by Lutheran Pastor Munther Isaac giving his sermon entitled, “Christ in The Rubble” (Sermon Transcript).
“Silence is complicity,” Isaac said.
That sermon inspired him to make his voice heard across Gibraltar; and he made his local display; and at my suggestion unbeknown to the GSD, we placed it on the doorsteps of the Gibraltar Social Democrat offices.
But his voice was deemed “vandalism” by the biased “pro-state-of-israel” establishment: RGP investigating incident of vandalism outside GSD premises on College Lane
The bricks were made with teabag boxes and sprayed with grey paint. Three dolls and some teddy bears were placed underneath them, and the whole scene was daubed with fake blood. There was a sign with the now famous sermon title.
This was no act of vandalism, it was an act of love, and an educational artistic event from Samuel, as his way to best highlight injustices against our women and children falling beneath the rubble in Palestine.
Samuel had also carefully decorated the Xmas crib in the Anglican Cathedral to depict the harsh reality of Xmas in the war torn Holy Land.
And from the Anglican bishop’s chair, Samuel read aloud scripture from The Gospel:
Matthew 25:31 When the Son of Man shall come in his glory, and all the Holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the Throne of his glory:
25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth [his] sheep from the goats:
25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Did the visual-statement left on their doorstep get their attention?
Many know there is more to the story of what is happening in Gaza – that there is always two sides to every story.
We were given a chance to tell our side to the RGP:
On the late evening of 6th January 2024, three uniformed officers from the Royal Gibraltar Police invited Samuel and me to voluntarily attend New Mole House to answer questions about the incident outside the GSD offices on 5th January 2024. Samuel and I were more than happy to accept the voluntary invitation, even though we were given the option of attending at a later date. Neither of us needed or wanted a solicitor to be present and in our separate video and audio recorded interviews with the police, we happily addressed each and every question truthfully and as accurately as we could. Samuel explained his “Christ in The Rubble” project, and I explained my support of it, and how it linked to my “95 Point Theses on Gaza”.
After our very pleasant and friendly interviews, the police kindly offered us a lift back into town; but it being a nice evening, Samuel and I preferred to walk back and reflect on our respective interview experiences, both of which were pleasant.
Samuel told me that during his recorded interview he sang to the police officers a rendition of “Lord of The Dance”, saying the lyrics were apt, relating them to his scripture reading from the bishop’s chair.
UPDATE – 8 Jan. 2023 – The GBC has updated its orginal article to: Two UK nationals give voluntary interviews to police over incident outside GSD premises. “The RGP are investigating what they initially described as an act of vandalism.”
My Theses
As for my “95 Theses” – regarding the genocide in Gaza – it is presented here on Gibraltar Messenger. Please take time to review it. And hopefully, the Gibraltarians who see it at the various deployed locations will pause. Pray it has a good effect – and launches a truthful unbiased discussion and just action on what is happening in Gaza.
SleuthER’s 95 Theses on Gaza – PDF