Topic Primers

War

What does the Bible say?

War is not part of God’s good plan for humanity. Within creation, everything was “very good”, including the relationships between man, woman and God, but the effects of the Fall in Genesis 3 were quickly felt; it is just one chapter later that Cain murders Abel. The first war comes in Genesis 14, when an alliance of kings attacks Sodom and takes Lot prisoner, and Abraham fights to rescue him.

War is a fact of life within the Bible; sometimes God even led his people into battle as ‘The Lord of Hosts’; at other times, God uses warfare as an instrument of judgement, including against Israel. Within the New Testament, we encounter various centurions and soldiers. Some are cruel but others are commended, such as Cornelius, without condemnation for being a soldier.

Christians normally take one of two positions around warfare: pacifism and just war theory. Pacifists point to the words of Jesus, such as in Matthew 5: “If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” When Peter cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant, he told him: “Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26:52).

‘Just war’ is not a Biblical phrase, but was coined by Augustine and developed by Thomas Aquinas: it applies Biblical principles to conflict, recognising the gravity of warfare. Paul talks in Romans 13 about how governing authorities are allowed the use of force to punish wrong-doing. We are to love our enemies, but that doesn’t mean that law and order do not exist: they are part of the way God has set up the world.

In Romans 12, Paul writes, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Sometimes there will be conflict, not provoked by our own country. It may come in self-defence, or as we seek to ‘love our neighbour’. It should be a last resort, after diplomatic avenues have been exhausted. In the Old Testament the Israelite armies were told to make an offer of peace before attacking. Peace is always the aim, both in diplomacy and in battle. Augustine said: ‘We go to war in order that we may have peace.’

The Bible looks ahead to a day where evil will be overcome with good and war will be overcome by peace. Swords will be beaten into ploughshares, spears into pruning hooks, and weapons won’t be needed any more. “Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore” (Micah 4:3). Death itself will be destroyed, and we will worship the God who is himself the Prince of Peace.

Questions to think about

Is a party looking ultimately to pursue peace within any policy of war?
Is a party looking to love its neighbours by providing innocent parties with the fullest means to defend themselves?
Is a party taking into account civilians and non-combatants within its policy around war?

What have the parties said?

  • The Government have been strong financial supporters of Ukraine’s fight against Russia, providing £500 million of aid, and supplies of vital munitions in April.
  • They have also strongly supported Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas, although they have also said that civilian casualties in Gaza ought to be minimised.
  • The Government have recently committed to an increase in UK defence spending, which will rise to 2.5% of national income by 2030.
  • Labour have come under fire on both sides for how they have handled their communications around the conflict in Israel and Gaza. Initially, the Labour leadership supported Israel’s right to defend itself, but after a backlash, particularly from Muslim supporters, they are now calling for a ceasefire.
  • Keir Starmer has maintained a clear commitment to NATO and the country’s nuclear deterrent. This distances the party from the policies of ex-leader Jeremy Corbyn.
  • Labour have also reaffirmed their support for Ukraine, and we would expect a manifesto to promise to continue financial aid.
  • Labour have said that they want to increase UK defence spending to 2.5% of national income, although they have said that they will only do this when finances allow, rather than committing to a specific date.
  • They are strongly in favour of the UK Government’s continued aid in Ukraine. Having initially supported Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas, they are now calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
  • The Lib Dems want to stop any cuts to the size of the UK army, and would maintain the UK’s support for Nato.
  • The Greens believe that the UK can defend itself against terrorism, but that the measures taken “should not undermine the fundamental values that shape a green society: inclusion, justice, equality and sustainability.”
  • They have called for an immediate ceasefire to the war in Israel and Gaza, although they do believe the UK should support Ukraine against Russia.
  • Reform would increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP and then again to 3% within 6 years. They have spoken less about Ukraine and Israel’s war in Gaza, although the party leader Richard Tice has expressed support for both.
  • The SNP has been supportive of Ukraine’s war effort, and both Westminster and Holyrood figures have called for support for the Palestinian people, and criticised Israel. The party’s manifesto is expected to include a call for a ceasefire in Gaza, and could include a call for the recognition of a separate Palestinian state.
  • Historically, the SNP has called for the removal of the UK’s Trident nuclear submarine base at Faslane, which was described as a “red line” by Nicola Sturgeon in 2019.
  • The party opposes the renewal of weapons of mass destruction such as Trident and would oppose any move for them to be located in Wales, or Welsh waters.
  • Plaid Cymru supports an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and has called for the UK Government to stop selling arms to Israel, saying that by continuing to do so, the UK Government are ‘aiding in the killing of civilians’.
  • The DUP has traditionally been strongly in favour of the armed forces, It has been long standing party policy that any Armed Forces Covenants should apply in Northern Ireland and not just GB. They support increased spending on defence.
  • Of all the political parties in the UK the DUP is the party most supportive of Israel. The party are strong advocates of Israel’s right to defend itself and have been critical of countries that recognise the state of Palestine (including Ireland).
  • The DUP are strong supporters of the Ukrainian people in their war against Russia.
  • The DUP have been strong advocates for the UK to intervene and support Christians facing persecution and ethnic cleansing across the world, they want to see the Government take more action to support persecuted Christians.
  • Like other unionist parties, the UUP supports Israel’s right to defend itself. In a recent Assembly debate the UUP condemned the actions of Hamas and Israel.
  • The UUP have been strong supporters of Ukraine and the relocation of Ukrainian people to the UK.
  • The party have traditionally been strong advocates for the armed forces, they support the Military Covenant being extended to Northern Ireland as well as an increase in defence spending to properly resource the armed forces.
  • Sinn Féin are completely opposed to the British army having any bases in Northern Ireland and wish to see military posts and bases closed.
  • They oppose the current military offensive by Israel against Gaza and fully support the Irish Government’s recognition of Palestine as a state, although they do not believe the Irish Government are going far enough in their support of Palestine.
  • The support Irish military neutrality and would view any defence spending by the UK Government negatively. They generally oppose UK military action.
  • The SDLP are strong supporters of a Palestinian state. Recently they proposed a motion in the Assembly condemning the actions of Hamas on 7th October but calling the actions of Israel genocide.
  • Alliance are strong advocates for better community relations through positive action in controlling paramilitarism and associated activity. They have criticised the two large parties in Northern Ireland for not tackling the issue and carving up funds to paramilitaries rather than ending their control of communities. The Alliance party wish to create a positive environment through enhanced law enforcement, but also practical measures such as, stopping flags and emblems being displayed on street furniture, which will avoid overt demarcation of territory.
  • The party has called for a ceasefire in Palestine and the release of all hostages. It is unclear what they see as the ultimate solution in the region. 

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