Catholic priest ‘writes what he lives’ in new book on Palestine/Israel

Jesuit Father David Neuhaus’ new book, Conquest or Leaven: Reflections of a Catholic Priest in Palestine/Israel, has been published by the Jesuit Institute South Africa. It will be launched on November 25 in Johannesburg.

Born in Johannesburg in 1962 to a Jewish German family that was forced to flee Nazi Germany, Neuhaus writes from a political-theological perspective shaped by the experiences he details in the opening autobiographical chapter of the book.

These experiences include moving to Jerusalem as a teenager in 1977 — partly to escape military conscription in apartheid South Africa, only to serve a stint in an Israeli military prison for his refusal to join the Israeli Defence Force.

He formed lifelong friendships with a Palestinian family that turned him into a fluent Arabic speaker and a student of the Quran.

Baptised a Christian in 1988, much to the initial incredulity of his parents, he completed a doctorate in political science at the Hebrew University, entered the Near East Province of the Jesuits and was ordained a priest in 2000.

Fr Neuhaus is a respected teacher of Scripture who now lectures at various institutions in Palestine/Israel.

The perspectives formed as a result of these life experiences are interwoven into a collection of essays in which Fr Neuhaus tackles the historical, political, cultural, linguistic and religious strands that make up Palestine/Israel today.

It is ultimately a Catholic perspective, with the image of leaven running as a thread through the articles. It’s an image also captured on the cover, which depicts a woman lovingly kneading dough contrasted against the implied brutality of an invading tank. The leaven evokes the Church’s role in preaching the Kingdom of God — barely visible, producing gradual and organic change, like yeast in dough — as opposed to a counter image of conquest and the use of control, repression and domination.

The book’s 17 articles are divided into sections, with the first set addressing some of the major themes of contemporary Palestine/Israel, including violence and non-violence; the partition of the land; dialogue between Catholics and Jews and Muslims; and the role of Christian Palestinians.

A second set of articles focuses on contemporary Israeli politics and society.

The last article in the book looks at the question of Biblical interpretation, a theme intimately connected to the historical legitimation of Zionist settler colonialism in Palestine.

In his foreword, Latin Patriarch emeritus Michel Sabbah of Jerusalem asserts that Fr Neuhaus “writes what he lives, he writes to invite his people and all the people of the land to walk in the light of God, in the eternal light, even while living now in this land of suffering”.

In his endorsement of the book, Southern Cross editor Günther Simmermacher notes that few are as well-placed as Fr Neuhaus “to analyse the past, present and future of Palestine/Israel” and that his reflections offer the reader “an informed and empathetic overview of the issues and realities at stake”.

The Jesuit Institute South Africa will host a book launch on Tuesday, November 25 at 18:30. Fr Neuhaus will be in conversation with Ashley Green-Thompson and Rob Riedlinger. The launch will be held at 15 Molesey Avenue, Auckland Park. Those wishing to attend should RSVP to .

Conquest or Leaven: Reflections of a Catholic Priest in Palestine/Israel is available from the Jesuit Institute South Africa, Johannesburg, at a cost of R220 (excluding delivery). The book will be on sale at the book launch at a discounted price. To order, contact