By Pastor Chris:We heard from the President today his vision for a new Middle East. His statement focused a great deal on Israel and it is not a good vision. In fact the implications are staggering and worrisome for Americans whether or not we acknowledge them.
To those with an understanding of Biblical history, and an appreciation for the dangers Israel faces from a host of the surrounding nations, and their underlying hostile ideology, I cannot help but be reminded of what God said to Abram when He began to reveal Himself through this people, His Israel.
Genesis 12:1-3
1 Now the LORD had said to Abram:
Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.2 I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.3 I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.With that in mind my blood ran cold as I heard The President point out a number of distressing proposals. He spelled out his vision of a new Middle East, and weighed in on what our policy would be going forward. Many knew he had these views, but to verbalize them, on the eve Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit is a sequence of events that is either sloppy in its timing, or deliberate in its intent.
The marking of a “New chapter in American diplomacy” he made a series statements that elaborate on what is this “New chapter” and none of them are ultimately helpful to Israel, nor do they make things more secure. In fact such proposals as reverting to pre 1967 borders serve no security purpose whatsoever. In fact if they ever saw the light of day they would put Israel in an incredibly vulnerable position given the terrorist condition of the world of the 21st century.
Need we be reminded of the reason for the 1967 conflict? Those borders were established as a response to a looming escalation and military buildup in what is now the Gaza Strip, Golan Heights and the West Bank. Israel was faced with preemptive action, or taking a reactive posture for what was an inevitable conflict. They were taken as a buffer against an ever increasing hostility for the surrounding nation. A hostility that is still held, and only increasing.
As the President continued he said;
“It will be the policy of the US to promote reform, and to support transitions to democracy,”
Which presumable means he supports, among other “democratic” unions, the one between Hamas and the former PLO of Mahmoud Abbas now called the Palestinian Authority? That union is a good thing in the President’s opinion?
In case we need to be reminded, a removal of the current borders would by definition mean Hamas would have its influence reach beyond Gaza to the West Bank as well. Has Hamas shown a reason to be trusted with more than they have already been given in the terrorist breeding ground known as Gaza? This is a union The President supports and seeks to promote, why on earth would a man supposed to be so wise support such a foolish endeavor?
Would we be able to expect the same terrorism in the form of rockets and mortars coming from Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Jericho that we have seen from Gaza? It will, after all, have the Hamas element so how exactly is this good reform and transition, exactly?
Then there is the problem of Hamas having a seat of power in “peace” negotiations. This group has the stated goal of the destruction of the nation of Israel. Not to mention they refuse to even recognize the right for Israel to even exist. How then does one propose peace with the new “unity” government of the “Palestinians”?
As for the “Peace Process” The President said it was “up to the Israelis and Palestinians to take action”.
But of course he put his own stipulations on what it needs to look like, as he said;
“So while the core issues of the conflict must be negotiated, the basis of those negotiations is clear: a viable Palestine, a secure Israel. The United States believes that negotiations should result in two states, with permanent Palestinian borders with Israel, Jordan, and Egypt, and permanent Israeli borders with Palestine. We believe the borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps, so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states. The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, and reach their full potential, in a sovereign and contiguous state. “
So which is it Mr. President, will they need to “take action” on their own, or are they going to need to follow your view of things. It cannot be both ways, and we have reached an impasse. Well, actually this impasse was been reached as soon as terrorists looked to undo what God clearly created when Israel became a viable nation again in the middle of last century.
In another classic and confusing statement that seems internally contradictory, The President said this;
“No peace can be imposed upon them, nor can endless delay make the problem go away,”
Again, how does that work, operationally, Mr. President? It sounds like the pre conditions upon which the U.S. will insist will assume a border reverting back to a pre 1967 configuration. Only this time Gaza will not be Egyptian and the West Bank will not be Jordanian. It will be a never before known nation, called “Palestine” run by a far more insidious and violent government, if that is imaginable.
Or does The President believe that unless Israel agrees to a suicidal new nation there will no way to make the “problem” go away. In this bold new position for the U.S. Israel is in a no win situation. Not only that but we, as the only traditional ally Israel has, appear to be turning our back on Israel’s interest and security. This administration has staked out a position that Scripture clearly shows is unacceptable.
In short, for a Bible Believing Christian this is a dark day for our nation. Our current administration no longer puts it support solidly behind the only true ally we have in the region. It leaves one to once again ponder the question, why?
Rather than be a leader we are now becoming another voice in the crowd of absurdity and irrationality. The Bible lets us know this will be the case as Israel will be a topic that shakes the nations. (Zechariah 12) We are following the conventional wisdom of the rest of the world in opposing Israel’s right to self determination and security.
Let me state the obvious, the “Palestinian” government (if we can call it that) has nothing but ill intent regarding Israel, and our meddling in their business from the wrong side of the issue is something we know God will not allow to work in our favor, but rather the contrary is true.
Keep looking up and know that God will see to Israel’s well being and those who seek to subvert God’s will are going to be resisted. God forgive those who treat Israel with such contempt, and God forgive our nation for its treachery.
