Manuel Musallam denounces critics of Palestinian resistance, says “only armed struggle will bring liberation”

Father Manuel Musallam, former pastor of the Latin Church in Gaza and a member of the Islamic-Christian Committee for the Defence of Holy Sites, has issued a sharp rebuke to those he accused of “stabbing the resistance in the back,” declaring that armed resistance is the only path to Palestinian liberation.

In a statement posted Tuesday on his Facebook page, Musallam said that each time Israel carries out a massacre in Gaza—destroying a restaurant, school, refugee camp, or hospital and killing civilians—some individuals rush to blame the resistance instead of confronting “the real perpetrator.”

“Shame on savage Israel, and shame on all who remain lenient, silent, or compromising with this Israeli monster,” he wrote, asserting that “the dream of liberation will only be achieved through armed resistance, not through popular resistance, security coordination, or recognition of Israel.”

Musallam described Palestinian armed struggle as a legitimate right of peoples under occupation, noting that “all free nations gained their independence through struggle and sacrifice, as the Palestinian people are doing today.”

He added that 7 October 2023 marked a turning point, saying: “The world has begun to smile at us and frown at Israel. People now recognise our right and accuse the occupation of war crimes and genocide.”

Concluding his post, Musallam wrote: “I may be dreaming now, but I will wake up to reality. Those who think this dream is impossible will remain awake under the yoke of occupation until God’s promise — the promise of the Hereafter and the promise of Gaza — is fulfilled.”

Father Musallam is widely known for his staunch support of Palestinian unity and resistance. During Israel’s 2014 assault on Gaza, he became a symbol of interfaith solidarity for his statement: “If they demolish your mosques, raise the call to prayer from our churches.”