Former interim Israeli president Avraham Burg delivered a powerful critique of using religion to justify violence and the influence of foreign evangelical agendas.
“Bloody warriors are not entitled to build the house of God, the House of Peace,” he said, contrasting the biblical King David with the idealised images often used to promote war.
He sharply criticised Israeli rabbis who support bloodshed, calling it “a shame on Judaism,” and rejected attempts by evangelicals to impose apocalyptic visions on Israeli politics.
“I do not want to die in your Armageddon. Who asked you to sacrifice me? Who volunteered to be the blood on the altar of your future redemption?” he said, demanding separation of religious fanaticism from political decision-making, and calling out Israel’s prime minister as corrupt.
Burg stressed that real protection comes through negotiation and agreements, not war, noting, “I do not know even one person who died because of peace. I know so many… killed because of holy wars.”
"I do not want to die in your Armageddon."
Middle East Eye ISSN 2634-2456