Radical Islam is a threat to Christian democracy. It must be defeated

The conflict in Israel and Gaza is much bigger than the Middle East, says Bishop Joseph D’Souza. Peace requires Western democracies to stand up to extremists, not appease them

Violent religious extremists of different faiths remain the greatest threat to peaceful co-existence in our time. Those of us who live in the majority world are very aware of this dangerous reality. Religious extremists disrespect the value of innocent human life and are saboteurs of peace.

The hideous terrorist attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians on October 7 invited Israel’s fierce response. Our hearts go out to the Palestinians in Gaza who are now also victims in this war. While most of the conversations focus on what is taking place on the ground, what is often lost is that there is a larger, undeclared war underway - between radical Islamism and a commitment to humanity, preserved by Christian democratic values.