Yes, the world was certainly surprised when they heard that United States President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The predominant world reaction was, “What for?” Most commentators felt that the prize is premature, because Obama has not actually accomplished anything yet to bring about peace anywhere.
A better word than “surprised” for us Christian supporters of Israel would be “stunned.” We gasped in disbelief. My first reaction was to ask, “Has the world gone mad?” And my second question was, “What does this mean for Israel?”
I consider this award to be a devastating blow to the state of Israel in her battle to protect Israelis from an Iranian nuclear attack. It seems to be a ruse to silence Obama from supporting an Israeli attack against Iran and the terrorist Ahmadinejad regime. How can the winner of a Nobel Peace Prize support such an attack and possible war? Of course, we already know that Obama would never support such an attack anyway, because it would be action against a Muslim state. The award provides strong support for Obama’s biased Muslim appeasement efforts.
But that isn’t all. The Nobel Peace Prize could also serve to trigger a devastating domino effect in favor of the world’s effort to eliminate Israel and to destroy the West. The next crippling step could be for OPEC to change from the U.S. dollar to the euro as the monetary standard for purchasing oil. If this happens, it will send the U.S. into a tailspin toward bankruptcy. Then China could possibly step up to demand payment of America’s debt. And when America cannot pay, the U.S. and the world economy could be in serious danger of collapse.
Actually, the Obama award generated mixed reactions from national leaders all over the world, with many shaking their heads. The Nobel committee virtually admitted that the award was not for Obama’s peace making accomplishments but, rather, for his goals—which include forging a Middle East peace, ridding the world of nuclear weapons, and halting climate change. Whatever happened to awards for deeds?
Many commentators, especially conservatives, shrugged that the Nobel Prize was simply an expression of the leftist ideology of the Nobel people, just like that of the people of the United Nations. Others declared that the award was “a kick in the leg” of former President George W. Bush, who the leftists detest because of his war against terrorism, the war in Iraq and his opposition to global warming.
Jewish American columnist Charles Krauthammer declared, “The award is a farce! They've gone overboard, over the top!” He asked, “Where has Obama brought peace?” And he added, “We need to bring the Nobel Peace committee to be on ‘Saturday Night Live,’” a popular TV comedy program.
Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh also could not believe Obama was lauded in such a way, when “he is intent on destroying his own country as a superpower.” He added, “How now can he send more troops to Afghanistan?”
Conservative media also drew attention to the fact that the Nobel decision was made way back in February, when Obama had been in office only two or three weeks. Certainly, he had not accomplished anything by then.
The Nobel people indicated that Obama had pushed for peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians. But what effect has he had on either side? Virtually no progress has been made deserving of any award. And of course, everyone interpreted his Muslim appeasement statements in his Cairo address last summer to be strong confirmation of his pro-Arab and pro-Muslim bias.
Many are also still asking why the supposedly peace-promoting Obama said nothing to support the masses in Iran recently when they demonstrated against the fraudulent election of the Muslim tyrant Ahmadinejad. And why hasn’t this peace-promoting president ever condemned this same Muslim tyrant for the many declarations of his plans “to wipe Israel off the face of the map?”
At the same time, why has Obama so often and so strongly railed against the relatively minor issue of continued construction of Jewish homes in the so-called “settlements” in Judea and Samaria? And how can he continually pressure Israel to freely give the Palestinian Arabs land for their own state when the Arabs have deliberately defied every so-called peace agreement they have made with Israel over the past 16 years?
Never before in history has there been a greater need for prayer for the peace of Israel by those who believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.PoliticalPotluck.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Palestinian Infighting Takes Focus off Arab Rogue Countries
On a daily basis, we read in newspapers and on the Web about deadly clashes between Hamas and Fatah in the Palestinian territories. Part of the peace process requires that these two opposing groups somehow put their differences aside and form a unified government. Why aren’t the neighboring Arab countries stepping up to the plate and putting real pressure on the Palestinians to move in this direction?
For a number of reasons, unfortunately, it is to their advantage to keep the Palestinians stirred up and hostile. With world attention focused on the fighting taking place between Hamas and Fatah, less attention is being paid to what is actually going on in other Arab countries. Iran and Syria are two cases in point. We know that terrorists smuggle weapons into the Palestinian territories by way of Syria. And we know that Iran has a very questionable nuclear development program underway. Both of these rogue countries want to keep world attention focused in other directions; so instead of working toward promoting peace, they often throw more fuel on the fire between Hamas, Fatah and Israel.
The finger is always pointed toward Israel as the culprit behind all of the Palestinians’ woes. But without a heartfelt desire to achieve peace by all parties involved, there will never be lasting peace in the region. Israel is constantly forced to defend itself in one way or another—often in the arena of public opinion—and when it bows to public pressure, it is never a good outcome for Israel. The Palestinians are demanding the right of return for third-generation refugees and that Israel halt all settlement growth as part of the peace process. This, they say, is non-negotiable. Meanwhile, Israel is saying, “No way.”
I hope and pray that Israel stands firm. To people who don’t understand the ramifications of allowing Palestinian refugees to return to Gaza and the West Bank, Israel’s stance sounds rather harsh. But it’s not harsh. It’s simply a matter of self-preservation.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.PoliticalPotluck.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
For a number of reasons, unfortunately, it is to their advantage to keep the Palestinians stirred up and hostile. With world attention focused on the fighting taking place between Hamas and Fatah, less attention is being paid to what is actually going on in other Arab countries. Iran and Syria are two cases in point. We know that terrorists smuggle weapons into the Palestinian territories by way of Syria. And we know that Iran has a very questionable nuclear development program underway. Both of these rogue countries want to keep world attention focused in other directions; so instead of working toward promoting peace, they often throw more fuel on the fire between Hamas, Fatah and Israel.
The finger is always pointed toward Israel as the culprit behind all of the Palestinians’ woes. But without a heartfelt desire to achieve peace by all parties involved, there will never be lasting peace in the region. Israel is constantly forced to defend itself in one way or another—often in the arena of public opinion—and when it bows to public pressure, it is never a good outcome for Israel. The Palestinians are demanding the right of return for third-generation refugees and that Israel halt all settlement growth as part of the peace process. This, they say, is non-negotiable. Meanwhile, Israel is saying, “No way.”
I hope and pray that Israel stands firm. To people who don’t understand the ramifications of allowing Palestinian refugees to return to Gaza and the West Bank, Israel’s stance sounds rather harsh. But it’s not harsh. It’s simply a matter of self-preservation.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.PoliticalPotluck.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
Friday, July 10, 2009
Who Says Israel Belongs to the Jews?
Many Christians certainly do not believe it is their business to try to advise the government of Israel what to do. However, most do believe it is within their realm of responsibility to draw attention to what the Holy Scriptures, the Torah and the Tenach, have to say about matters that are important to the nation and people of Israel today.
In this regard, I want to draw attention to the special Covenant, which the God of Israel made with Abraham, the father of the Israeli nation and people, some 4,000 years ago. And God called it "an everlasting covenant," which means that it must still be in effect today.
In the Torah book of Genesis, chapter 17 and verses 7 and 8, God Himself spoke to Abraham and told him: "I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God."
The devastating Israeli-Palestinian Arab conflict today is primarily about land, this very same land of Canaan that God mentioned in His covenant with Abraham. And this conflict cannot be fully understood, much less resolved, without a clear understanding of this ancient, but everlasting covenant between God and Abraham's seed.
Former Member of the Knesset and former Tourism Minister Benny Elon has published a book that strongly stresses this important truth. It's relevant title is, "God's Covenant with Israel." He emphasizes that the Biblical land boundaries that God specified in His covenant with Abraham are the best solution to the Israeli-Arab land dispute today.
Elon relates that he resides today in the modern, flourishing city of Beth El, one of several modern cities in Judea and Samaria that were also ancient cities of Israel. These cities magnify the rightful ownership of Israel's historic heartland by the Jewish people of today. He believes it is his God-given right as a Jew to live in Beth El, even though many consider it to be located in Arab territory.
The former MK also finds it hard to believe that many of today's Israeli leaders do not consider God's ancient, everlasting covenant to be significant today. "Unfortunately," he writes, "many Jews in Israel do not study the Bible and have only a vague idea about their connection to the land, let alone the covenants." He adds, "I want to remind the citizens and leaders of Israel of our God-given right and responsibility to this land."
Elon proceeds to conclude that the creation of a Palestinian Arab state on the land of Judea, Samaria, and Gaza is not God's plan, since it violates God's covenant with the children of Israel. He also stresses that violation of this covenant will put at risk the very existence of Israel as a Jewish state.
With all this in his mind and heart, Elon goes on to the next step in his reasoning process. Since all the ancient land of Canaan, from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, belongs to the Jewish people, the Palestinian Arab people and the Palestinian state belong on the other side of the Jordan. He calls this plan, "The Right Road to Peace."
All other peace plans have failed, Elon writes, because they have ignored God's Covenant. Any plan based on the division of the land is doomed to failure, he stressed. The miraculous return of the Jewish people to their ancient homeland and the re-birth of their ancient nation, is the most significant event in the modern history of the Middle East, he adds. And it serves to confirm that God's everlasting covenant with the Jewish people has not expired.
Elon acknowledges that establishing the Palestinian Arab state on the other side of the Jordan would not be easy. However, he considers that the present state of Jordan is in reality a Palestinian state already. At the end of World War I, the League of Nations gave Britain a mandate over Palestine, which included the lands of both sides of the Jordan, to build there "a National Home for the Jewish People." But in 1922 Britain gave the eastern two-thirds to the Hashemite Arabs, who established a Palestinian Arab state on that land long before the Jewish state was re-established.
The influx of Arabs moving from Israel to Jordan would have to blend with the present Jordanian population and live under their government. It is recorded history that the government of Jordan expelled the Palestine Liberation Organization under Yasser Arafat some 25 years ago, and even now they do not allow the so-called Palestinian Arabs to live in Jordan or become citizens even though most of the Israeli Arabs are from the same Arab stock as most of the Jordanian Arabs. However, Elon feels that strong pressure from the United States and the international community could help open the Jordanian gates.
Elon also proposes that Israel, the United States, and the international community will also have "to put forth a concerted aid effort for the long-term development of Jordan, to rehabilitate its economy, and to enable them to absorb the influx of additional Arab citizens within their borders."
He says it will take something like the post-World War II American Marshall Plan to make the Jordanian consolidation plan work. It will take an enormous amount of financial, technological, and educational aid to create a viable enlarged Palestinian state. But he adds that the international community should be willing to do it to bring about this long sought solution and peace. He also thinks that a program of such extensive aid "would most likely be welcomed in Amman."
Such a plan also would include the dissolution of the present Palestinian Authority, whom Elon primarily blames for the present scope of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Dissolving the Palestinian Authority would uproot the terrorism infrastructure, he says, and put an end to the present incitement and violence.
However, Elon does not mention that this plan would put an end to the Arab hatred and animosity toward the Jewish people. And even though he outlines this plan as the best one yet designed, he does not go so far as to express confidence that it will someday be enacted.
In this regard, I want to draw attention to the special Covenant, which the God of Israel made with Abraham, the father of the Israeli nation and people, some 4,000 years ago. And God called it "an everlasting covenant," which means that it must still be in effect today.
In the Torah book of Genesis, chapter 17 and verses 7 and 8, God Himself spoke to Abraham and told him: "I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God."
The devastating Israeli-Palestinian Arab conflict today is primarily about land, this very same land of Canaan that God mentioned in His covenant with Abraham. And this conflict cannot be fully understood, much less resolved, without a clear understanding of this ancient, but everlasting covenant between God and Abraham's seed.
Former Member of the Knesset and former Tourism Minister Benny Elon has published a book that strongly stresses this important truth. It's relevant title is, "God's Covenant with Israel." He emphasizes that the Biblical land boundaries that God specified in His covenant with Abraham are the best solution to the Israeli-Arab land dispute today.
Elon relates that he resides today in the modern, flourishing city of Beth El, one of several modern cities in Judea and Samaria that were also ancient cities of Israel. These cities magnify the rightful ownership of Israel's historic heartland by the Jewish people of today. He believes it is his God-given right as a Jew to live in Beth El, even though many consider it to be located in Arab territory.
The former MK also finds it hard to believe that many of today's Israeli leaders do not consider God's ancient, everlasting covenant to be significant today. "Unfortunately," he writes, "many Jews in Israel do not study the Bible and have only a vague idea about their connection to the land, let alone the covenants." He adds, "I want to remind the citizens and leaders of Israel of our God-given right and responsibility to this land."
Elon proceeds to conclude that the creation of a Palestinian Arab state on the land of Judea, Samaria, and Gaza is not God's plan, since it violates God's covenant with the children of Israel. He also stresses that violation of this covenant will put at risk the very existence of Israel as a Jewish state.
With all this in his mind and heart, Elon goes on to the next step in his reasoning process. Since all the ancient land of Canaan, from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, belongs to the Jewish people, the Palestinian Arab people and the Palestinian state belong on the other side of the Jordan. He calls this plan, "The Right Road to Peace."
All other peace plans have failed, Elon writes, because they have ignored God's Covenant. Any plan based on the division of the land is doomed to failure, he stressed. The miraculous return of the Jewish people to their ancient homeland and the re-birth of their ancient nation, is the most significant event in the modern history of the Middle East, he adds. And it serves to confirm that God's everlasting covenant with the Jewish people has not expired.
Elon acknowledges that establishing the Palestinian Arab state on the other side of the Jordan would not be easy. However, he considers that the present state of Jordan is in reality a Palestinian state already. At the end of World War I, the League of Nations gave Britain a mandate over Palestine, which included the lands of both sides of the Jordan, to build there "a National Home for the Jewish People." But in 1922 Britain gave the eastern two-thirds to the Hashemite Arabs, who established a Palestinian Arab state on that land long before the Jewish state was re-established.
The influx of Arabs moving from Israel to Jordan would have to blend with the present Jordanian population and live under their government. It is recorded history that the government of Jordan expelled the Palestine Liberation Organization under Yasser Arafat some 25 years ago, and even now they do not allow the so-called Palestinian Arabs to live in Jordan or become citizens even though most of the Israeli Arabs are from the same Arab stock as most of the Jordanian Arabs. However, Elon feels that strong pressure from the United States and the international community could help open the Jordanian gates.
Elon also proposes that Israel, the United States, and the international community will also have "to put forth a concerted aid effort for the long-term development of Jordan, to rehabilitate its economy, and to enable them to absorb the influx of additional Arab citizens within their borders."
He says it will take something like the post-World War II American Marshall Plan to make the Jordanian consolidation plan work. It will take an enormous amount of financial, technological, and educational aid to create a viable enlarged Palestinian state. But he adds that the international community should be willing to do it to bring about this long sought solution and peace. He also thinks that a program of such extensive aid "would most likely be welcomed in Amman."
Such a plan also would include the dissolution of the present Palestinian Authority, whom Elon primarily blames for the present scope of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Dissolving the Palestinian Authority would uproot the terrorism infrastructure, he says, and put an end to the present incitement and violence.
However, Elon does not mention that this plan would put an end to the Arab hatred and animosity toward the Jewish people. And even though he outlines this plan as the best one yet designed, he does not go so far as to express confidence that it will someday be enacted.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Is Netanyahu Strong Enough?
It is no surprise that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new government has already come under strong international pressure to abandon its opposition to the "two-state solution," and hand over a so-called Palestinian State to the Arabs. Netanyahu's stand has already put him on a collision course with the Obama administration, as well as with the United Nations and the European Union.
We conservative Christians agree with Netanyahu's concerns that a Palestinian state would impose a serious threat to Israel's security, that the Palestinians have yet to show any desire to fulfill the promises they made in several peace agreements, and that they are fighting internally with each other and are in no condition to maintain a viable state.
The US, the UN, and the EU, with some cooperation from the Israeli left, have succeeded in labeling the Israeli Biblical heartland of Judea and Samaria as "the West Bank," and in identifying it as "occupied Palestinian territory." These world powers obviously ignore that all of Judea and Samaria are part of the land area that the God of Israel promised to the Jewish people as "an everlasting possession." And they do not seem to understand, therefore, that the Arabs are the illegal occupiers of Jewish land, not the other way around.
While many analysts are expressing doubt that Netanyahu will be able to handle the pressures from the world powers that he has inherited, we Christians will be praying and pulling for him to be strong and stand his ground. After all, shouldn't it be obvious to these world powers that anyone would have to be blind or incredibly biased to believe that this "two-state solution" will guarantee peace? Where have they been looking for the past 60 years?
Meanwhile, it was overlooked by most of the press that Prime Minister Netanyahu quoted from the Bible in his inaugural address. He recited from Psalm 131: "Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty, neither do I exercise myself in matters too great or in things too wonderful for me."
It was special to hear the new Israeli leader echo the ancient King David in looking up to the God of Israel for some Divine assistance. We would like to see the new prime minister and his entire government maintain such a practice, and we believe God would respond positively. Then Netanyahu stated in his address, "It is not with the elation of the victorious that I stand before you today, but rather with the feeling of heavy responsibility."
He added: "I ask for your trust in a time of global crises, the likes of which have not been seen in years. Our nation faces two enormous challenges, an economic challenge and a security challenge."
We note that Netanyahu's new government platform calls for strengthening security, advancing the peace process, safeguarding the Jewish character of the state, and allowing freedom of worship to all religions. It adds that the government will work to confront the financial crisis, to create jobs, to fight poverty, and to bring prosperity. Until recently there was no mention by Prime Minister Netanyahu of agreeing to a "two-state solution."
Hopefully, the new Israeli leader will be strong enough to withstand all the international pressure by standing his ground insisting the Palestinians fulfill their part of any agreement. I believe he moved in this direction knowing that the Palestinians will never fulfill their obligations under any agreement made with Israel and thus there will never be a Palestinian state. Netanyahu knows Muslims will never recognize Israel as a nation and thus Israel will never have to surrender its real estate to a people bent on its destruction.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
http://www.fayettefrontpage.com/
http://www.georgiafrontpage.com/
http://www.politicalpotluck.com/
http://www.artsacrossgeorgia.com/
---
We conservative Christians agree with Netanyahu's concerns that a Palestinian state would impose a serious threat to Israel's security, that the Palestinians have yet to show any desire to fulfill the promises they made in several peace agreements, and that they are fighting internally with each other and are in no condition to maintain a viable state.
The US, the UN, and the EU, with some cooperation from the Israeli left, have succeeded in labeling the Israeli Biblical heartland of Judea and Samaria as "the West Bank," and in identifying it as "occupied Palestinian territory." These world powers obviously ignore that all of Judea and Samaria are part of the land area that the God of Israel promised to the Jewish people as "an everlasting possession." And they do not seem to understand, therefore, that the Arabs are the illegal occupiers of Jewish land, not the other way around.
While many analysts are expressing doubt that Netanyahu will be able to handle the pressures from the world powers that he has inherited, we Christians will be praying and pulling for him to be strong and stand his ground. After all, shouldn't it be obvious to these world powers that anyone would have to be blind or incredibly biased to believe that this "two-state solution" will guarantee peace? Where have they been looking for the past 60 years?
Meanwhile, it was overlooked by most of the press that Prime Minister Netanyahu quoted from the Bible in his inaugural address. He recited from Psalm 131: "Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty, neither do I exercise myself in matters too great or in things too wonderful for me."
It was special to hear the new Israeli leader echo the ancient King David in looking up to the God of Israel for some Divine assistance. We would like to see the new prime minister and his entire government maintain such a practice, and we believe God would respond positively. Then Netanyahu stated in his address, "It is not with the elation of the victorious that I stand before you today, but rather with the feeling of heavy responsibility."
He added: "I ask for your trust in a time of global crises, the likes of which have not been seen in years. Our nation faces two enormous challenges, an economic challenge and a security challenge."
We note that Netanyahu's new government platform calls for strengthening security, advancing the peace process, safeguarding the Jewish character of the state, and allowing freedom of worship to all religions. It adds that the government will work to confront the financial crisis, to create jobs, to fight poverty, and to bring prosperity. Until recently there was no mention by Prime Minister Netanyahu of agreeing to a "two-state solution."
Hopefully, the new Israeli leader will be strong enough to withstand all the international pressure by standing his ground insisting the Palestinians fulfill their part of any agreement. I believe he moved in this direction knowing that the Palestinians will never fulfill their obligations under any agreement made with Israel and thus there will never be a Palestinian state. Netanyahu knows Muslims will never recognize Israel as a nation and thus Israel will never have to surrender its real estate to a people bent on its destruction.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
http://www.fayettefrontpage.com/
http://www.georgiafrontpage.com/
http://www.politicalpotluck.com/
http://www.artsacrossgeorgia.com/
---
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Obama Shows His True Colors
I’m sad and even ashamed to say it, but U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama, in his first 100 days in office, has clearly and unmistakably shown the world — and Israel — his true colors. And they are not pro-Israel.
Let’s start with his bow to the Arab-Muslim Saudi Arabian King Abdullah when they met recently at the G20 summit in London. Almost every American and Israeli, especially conservative and evangelical Christians, took this as a serious insult.
How could the leader of the world’s greatest democratic, Judeo-Christian nation bow to the leader of the world’s leading Muslim dictatorship? And then, how could he demean himself by denying that he bowed, when the video coverage we all saw made it clear that he had? Would he bow before the Jewish president or prime minister of Israel? Don’t bet on it!
A few days later in Istanbul, Turkey, Obama sent another diplomatic punch Israel’s way by endorsing the 2002 Saudi Arabian plan as the Arab idea of peace between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs. (Never mind the five so-called peace agreements that the Palestinian leadership previously agreed to, signed and then promptly violated.)
The Saudi Plan dictates that Israel should give the Arabs all of Judea, Samaria, Gaza, Golan, East Jerusalem and the Temple Mount for virtually nothing in return. The plan also demands that Israel welcome more than 1 million so-called Arab “refugees” into the Jewish state with full citizenship rights. (“Refugee status” has now become hereditary for the first time in human history.)
Is it any wonder that the Saudi plan has had no acceptance in Israel? Yet Obama fully endorsed it.
Before he left on that trip to Europe, Obama held a press conference in Washington, D.C., during which he was asked if it might be hard for him to work with new Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He confirmed that the ascendancy of Netanyahu would “greatly impede peace efforts” and added that he would simply “have to be more persistent than his predecessors" in pressing for a Palestinian state.
Since then, Obama has sent a special representative, former Sen. George Mitchell, to Israel to face Netanyahu with the demand to make way for a Palestinian state immediately, if not sooner.
Likud partner, MK Gilad Erdan, expressed the feelings of the entire Israeli government and nation, I believe, when he responded, “Israel does not take orders from President Obama!” He added, “In voting for Netanyahu, Israel has decided not to become the 51st U.S. state.”
When IDF Chief of Staff Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi made a trip to the U.S. recently to share fresh intelligence about Iran’s nuclear facilities, he was snubbed by the Obama Administration in a most humiliating way. He wasn’t allowed to see the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense or even his own counterparts, the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was only allowed to meet with a lower-level assistant to the national security advisor. He had to cut his visit several days short, and commented, “They don’t want to even talk about Iran, only about the [idea of a] Palestinian state.”
The Obama Administration also denied a visitor’s visa to the U.S. for Dr. Uzi Arad, who is Prime Minister Netanyahu’s new national security advisor. Incredibly, U.S. officials stated that Arad “is suspected of being an intelligence risk.” As a result, Arad was prevented from fulfilling his mission of discussing top security issues with American officials. One has to wonder how deep and wide the negativity of the Obama Administration is toward the new Israeli government.
But that wasn’t enough: Obama followed up these serious diplomatic snubs by declaring a shift in U.S. policy toward Iran. He announced that he would drop the previous U.S. insistence that Iran cease development of nuclear facilities — and that he would opt for face-to-face talks and negotiations instead. This, of course, is a complete reversal of the policies of previous U.S. administrations and a strong slap in the face to Israel.
Obama does not seem to take seriously the Iranians’ threat to “wipe Israel off the face of the map.” He doesn’t seem to understand that nuclear bombs in the hands of the belligerent and apocalyptic Iranians would be a certain existential threat to the nation and people of Israel.
Add to all this Obama’s skirting the U.S. Congress and signing a presidential order to give $900 million to the Hamas-controlled Palestinian Arabs in Gaza, supposedly for the purpose of rebuilding the infrastructure that the Israelis damaged during the recent defensive action. Never mind that the Palestinians have squandered millions of dollars in aid from many sources to build up their military capabilities rather than spend the money to improve the lives and living conditions of their beleaguered people. The U.S. taxpayers are just expected to “pay up, and shut up.”
To top it all off, Obama added a special gift of $20 million to provide for several thousand Palestinian Arabs to leave Gaza and resettle in the United States. That includes free transoceanic passage and free help in setting up homes and finding jobs. Apparently, unlike Dr. Arad — a Fulbright Scholar and Princeton University Ph.D. — none of the Palestinians are considered to be “risks,” even though they elected the terrorists who’ve fired hundreds of rockets into Israel and have vowed to destroy it.
Who can determine a sane rationalization for such an action as this? Doesn't it look strangely like rewarding terrorism? What are Israelis supposed to think about such a senseless move?
I know what we evangelical Christians think about it — along with all the other recent Obama statements, decisions and actions. It’s obvious he’s showing his true pro-Arab, pro-Moslem, anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli colors — loud and clear. And while we’re at it … anti-Christian, also.
Let’s start with his bow to the Arab-Muslim Saudi Arabian King Abdullah when they met recently at the G20 summit in London. Almost every American and Israeli, especially conservative and evangelical Christians, took this as a serious insult.
How could the leader of the world’s greatest democratic, Judeo-Christian nation bow to the leader of the world’s leading Muslim dictatorship? And then, how could he demean himself by denying that he bowed, when the video coverage we all saw made it clear that he had? Would he bow before the Jewish president or prime minister of Israel? Don’t bet on it!
A few days later in Istanbul, Turkey, Obama sent another diplomatic punch Israel’s way by endorsing the 2002 Saudi Arabian plan as the Arab idea of peace between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs. (Never mind the five so-called peace agreements that the Palestinian leadership previously agreed to, signed and then promptly violated.)
The Saudi Plan dictates that Israel should give the Arabs all of Judea, Samaria, Gaza, Golan, East Jerusalem and the Temple Mount for virtually nothing in return. The plan also demands that Israel welcome more than 1 million so-called Arab “refugees” into the Jewish state with full citizenship rights. (“Refugee status” has now become hereditary for the first time in human history.)
Is it any wonder that the Saudi plan has had no acceptance in Israel? Yet Obama fully endorsed it.
Before he left on that trip to Europe, Obama held a press conference in Washington, D.C., during which he was asked if it might be hard for him to work with new Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He confirmed that the ascendancy of Netanyahu would “greatly impede peace efforts” and added that he would simply “have to be more persistent than his predecessors" in pressing for a Palestinian state.
Since then, Obama has sent a special representative, former Sen. George Mitchell, to Israel to face Netanyahu with the demand to make way for a Palestinian state immediately, if not sooner.
Likud partner, MK Gilad Erdan, expressed the feelings of the entire Israeli government and nation, I believe, when he responded, “Israel does not take orders from President Obama!” He added, “In voting for Netanyahu, Israel has decided not to become the 51st U.S. state.”
When IDF Chief of Staff Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi made a trip to the U.S. recently to share fresh intelligence about Iran’s nuclear facilities, he was snubbed by the Obama Administration in a most humiliating way. He wasn’t allowed to see the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense or even his own counterparts, the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was only allowed to meet with a lower-level assistant to the national security advisor. He had to cut his visit several days short, and commented, “They don’t want to even talk about Iran, only about the [idea of a] Palestinian state.”
The Obama Administration also denied a visitor’s visa to the U.S. for Dr. Uzi Arad, who is Prime Minister Netanyahu’s new national security advisor. Incredibly, U.S. officials stated that Arad “is suspected of being an intelligence risk.” As a result, Arad was prevented from fulfilling his mission of discussing top security issues with American officials. One has to wonder how deep and wide the negativity of the Obama Administration is toward the new Israeli government.
But that wasn’t enough: Obama followed up these serious diplomatic snubs by declaring a shift in U.S. policy toward Iran. He announced that he would drop the previous U.S. insistence that Iran cease development of nuclear facilities — and that he would opt for face-to-face talks and negotiations instead. This, of course, is a complete reversal of the policies of previous U.S. administrations and a strong slap in the face to Israel.
Obama does not seem to take seriously the Iranians’ threat to “wipe Israel off the face of the map.” He doesn’t seem to understand that nuclear bombs in the hands of the belligerent and apocalyptic Iranians would be a certain existential threat to the nation and people of Israel.
Add to all this Obama’s skirting the U.S. Congress and signing a presidential order to give $900 million to the Hamas-controlled Palestinian Arabs in Gaza, supposedly for the purpose of rebuilding the infrastructure that the Israelis damaged during the recent defensive action. Never mind that the Palestinians have squandered millions of dollars in aid from many sources to build up their military capabilities rather than spend the money to improve the lives and living conditions of their beleaguered people. The U.S. taxpayers are just expected to “pay up, and shut up.”
To top it all off, Obama added a special gift of $20 million to provide for several thousand Palestinian Arabs to leave Gaza and resettle in the United States. That includes free transoceanic passage and free help in setting up homes and finding jobs. Apparently, unlike Dr. Arad — a Fulbright Scholar and Princeton University Ph.D. — none of the Palestinians are considered to be “risks,” even though they elected the terrorists who’ve fired hundreds of rockets into Israel and have vowed to destroy it.
Who can determine a sane rationalization for such an action as this? Doesn't it look strangely like rewarding terrorism? What are Israelis supposed to think about such a senseless move?
I know what we evangelical Christians think about it — along with all the other recent Obama statements, decisions and actions. It’s obvious he’s showing his true pro-Arab, pro-Moslem, anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli colors — loud and clear. And while we’re at it … anti-Christian, also.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Palestinians... the Next Generation
In the past year the Western world has gotten a glimpse into the content of children’s television programs being aired on Palestinian television and we have been shocked and appalled at what we have seen. Each day Palestinian children are stuffed full of hate by a counterfeit Mickey Mouse who calls on children to hate Jews and to kill them wherever they are found.
Palestinian children’s storybooks as well as text books are filled with the same anti-Semitic, anti-Israel, anti-Western venomous propaganda. Before it is too late we must consider the implications of this brainwashing and ask ourselves a very tough question, “What sort of adults will these children become who have been fed a steady diet of hate?”
Civilized people of the world are shocked by the radical, fanatical behavior of many in the Palestinian territories. If we are shocked now, what can we expect from the next generation who will have absolutely no knowledge of the concepts of freedom and democracy? The civilized world will soon be faced with an entire generation with whom it will be impossible to establish peace and order.
Israel will have no peace partner but instead will have as it closest neighbor a society of angry, radical savages. At their core will be the belief that it is normal, acceptable and even honorable to strap explosives around children sending them into crowded areas where non-Muslims gather for the purpose of killing as many non-Muslims as possible all to please Allah. All who love freedom and democracy must ban together now with one voice and demand that an end be put to the brainwashing of Palestinian children or risk sharing this world with an entire generation who place no value on their own lives and even less on the lives of those who are non-Muslim.
If we fail to act now against this menace, we will live to regret our silence just as we in the Christian community regret our deafening silence when the Holocaust was taking place right before the eyes of the world. Conversely, an entire generation of young Israelis is growing up to believe it is normal to run for shelter when they hear a siren and are becoming accustomed to bombs raining down on their homes, schools and playgrounds. Talk about post traumatic stress disorder!
We hear nothing of the psychological damage the Palestinians are inflicting on the Israelis. We hear of the deaths but rarely do we hear about those who have been permanently crippled and maimed and never do we hear about the psychological impact of having to live under the constant threat of terror. Soon there will be no hope of reaching a solution to the Israeli / Palestinian problem by using diplomatic means.
With this said, what will be our future options? The problem is not going away. The Palestinian people are not going to have a sudden collective epiphany whereby they will be miraculously infused with understanding that in order to have peace they must be willing to give peace. The Israeli people are not strapping bombs around their innocent youth and sending them into crowded cities in search of Muslims to destroy yet there are almost daily attempts by Palestinians to blow up Jews. So, back to the question of future options.
In the southern eastern part of the United States there is an ugly blood sport which has been reported by the media. It is called dog fighting and it is illegal. This is a backwoods bloody sport conducted by the vilest of humans. When these people are caught, they are fined and sent to jail. However, because their fighting dogs have been fed nothing but a steady diet of savage torment, they are considered to have no possible redeeming value and are destroyed. Retraining is not an option. So, if peace is to be achieved by diplomatic means, we must not allow the radical, fanatical Palestinians to continue eroding and warping the psyche of Palestinian youth.
The world must demand change NOW.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
Palestinian children’s storybooks as well as text books are filled with the same anti-Semitic, anti-Israel, anti-Western venomous propaganda. Before it is too late we must consider the implications of this brainwashing and ask ourselves a very tough question, “What sort of adults will these children become who have been fed a steady diet of hate?”
Civilized people of the world are shocked by the radical, fanatical behavior of many in the Palestinian territories. If we are shocked now, what can we expect from the next generation who will have absolutely no knowledge of the concepts of freedom and democracy? The civilized world will soon be faced with an entire generation with whom it will be impossible to establish peace and order.
Israel will have no peace partner but instead will have as it closest neighbor a society of angry, radical savages. At their core will be the belief that it is normal, acceptable and even honorable to strap explosives around children sending them into crowded areas where non-Muslims gather for the purpose of killing as many non-Muslims as possible all to please Allah. All who love freedom and democracy must ban together now with one voice and demand that an end be put to the brainwashing of Palestinian children or risk sharing this world with an entire generation who place no value on their own lives and even less on the lives of those who are non-Muslim.
If we fail to act now against this menace, we will live to regret our silence just as we in the Christian community regret our deafening silence when the Holocaust was taking place right before the eyes of the world. Conversely, an entire generation of young Israelis is growing up to believe it is normal to run for shelter when they hear a siren and are becoming accustomed to bombs raining down on their homes, schools and playgrounds. Talk about post traumatic stress disorder!
We hear nothing of the psychological damage the Palestinians are inflicting on the Israelis. We hear of the deaths but rarely do we hear about those who have been permanently crippled and maimed and never do we hear about the psychological impact of having to live under the constant threat of terror. Soon there will be no hope of reaching a solution to the Israeli / Palestinian problem by using diplomatic means.
With this said, what will be our future options? The problem is not going away. The Palestinian people are not going to have a sudden collective epiphany whereby they will be miraculously infused with understanding that in order to have peace they must be willing to give peace. The Israeli people are not strapping bombs around their innocent youth and sending them into crowded cities in search of Muslims to destroy yet there are almost daily attempts by Palestinians to blow up Jews. So, back to the question of future options.
In the southern eastern part of the United States there is an ugly blood sport which has been reported by the media. It is called dog fighting and it is illegal. This is a backwoods bloody sport conducted by the vilest of humans. When these people are caught, they are fined and sent to jail. However, because their fighting dogs have been fed nothing but a steady diet of savage torment, they are considered to have no possible redeeming value and are destroyed. Retraining is not an option. So, if peace is to be achieved by diplomatic means, we must not allow the radical, fanatical Palestinians to continue eroding and warping the psyche of Palestinian youth.
The world must demand change NOW.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Formula for Disaster
I am an American Christian. I love my country and I also love Israel. I embrace the principles upon which America’s founding fathers established our democratic system of government and I fully embrace Judeo-Christians values.
This past November the American people elected a new president. Everyone was looking for ‘change, change and more change.’ I was one of them but the change I was looking for was a thread of hope that someone seeking the Office of President of the United States would openly declare support for Israel recognizing that this tiny democracy is America’s only friend and ally in the Middle East and right now we need all the friends we can get. Sadly, I cannot say that I found what I was looking for – hoping for.
Senator McCain said, “America needs a new direction.” Senator Obama, who is now President Obama, said America needs “fundamental change.” Does America need change? Absolutely but change solely for the sake of change is not necessarily good or right. What seems to be lacking in America is a clear understanding of where the new administration wants this “change” to take this nation. Do the American people want their country and their traditional Judeo-Christians to be “changed” or redefined?
New plans and new ideas require a careful weighing of the pros and the cons. This is essential in any successful business plan and it should also be the core process upon which the American government implements and manages itself on the micro and macro levels. A shotgun approach to problem solving is not an acceptable technique yet it seems to be the only plan in place for addressing the current financial crisis in America and the current political situation in the Middle East. Americans must remember that what happens in America is not confined to American shores. The ripple effects or, as is the case with the current economic crisis, the full force of the mighty tsunami, impacts the entire world. The same is true with the situation in the Middle East. What happens in that part of the world eventually impacts us all. “Change” eventually affects everything from the price of oil to the price of freedom.
As a super power, America has a responsibility to the world to act carefully and responsibly. America’s leaders must have a clearly defined and solid platform from which to launch any change in America and any plan for peace for Israel and the Middle East. Change simply for the sake of change is risky business if America wants to hold fast to the Bible based values articulated by America’s founding fathers in their charter documents; part of which guarantee Americans the benefit of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
In the beginning, America possessed a common, solid foundation upon which its societal norms and practices were based and they date back thousands of years to teachings found in ancient Hebrew texts. At one time America proclaimed to be “one nation under God” as stated in the Pledge of Allegiance and “in God we trusted” as stated on America’s dollar bills. From where did this idea of a country and a people centered on the worship of God come from? It came from the ancient Hebrew Scriptures but America is changing; moving away from those fundamental values which were the glue of our society and no one is saying a word. It is the same in Israel. While there is much “religion” in America just as in Israel, where are the hearts of the people? Have we grown cold? Have we turned away from God in favor of man’s ideas and manmade institutions and doctrines?
At one time the American people placed a premium upon individual as well as corporate honesty, integrity, truthfulness and hard work. America’s educational system taught students to study hard and learn well in order to secure independent and successful futures not only for their personal benefit but in order to be contributing members to society as a whole. Somewhere along the way America began to go astray. America’s vision as a nation has become blurred. It seems there is no longer a common thread uniting American society. That great “melting pot” quit blending and instead began to separate and solidify into polarizing elements. This, too, is happening in Israel with Muslims, many of whom hold Israeli citizenship, unwilling to blend with Israeli society but wanting rather to replace God’s people with Allah’s henchmen.
Did this happen overnight? No. Like a lobster being boiled alive which has no idea it is about to die, America’s decline has been gradual and is now partially manifesting itself in the current economic crisis. Greed and a “me first” attitude have slowly chipped away at America’s foundational values of fairness, honesty and personal integrity. No longer is a person’s word their bond. No longer is a handshake as binding as a signature on a contract and no longer is a good reputation valued above the possession of glitter the world has to offer. The true measure of a person’s (or a nation’s) character is not what is done when people are watching but rather what is done when no one is looking. What does this say for so many of America’s (and Israel’s) elected officials and those corporate CEOs “managing” Wall Street’s financial markets?
America now has a new president and Israel now seems to have a new prime minister. Change is taking place around the world and not just in terms of new leadership. Islam is rising at a phenomenal rate threatening to unravel the very fabric of every nation and country which has traditionally held fast to faith in God – the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Israel has been living for decades with radical Muslims threatening her destruction and the rise of Islam chipping away at Jewish culture and adding to the rising tide of anti-Semitism.
If America continues to stray from the basic, fundamental, Judeo-Christian values upon which she was established, the rise of Islam will soon be apparent in every neighborhood in America and when this happens the fundamental freedoms that Americans enjoy will be changed forever and American support for Israel will dwindle to zero. Israel is on the front lines in the world’s war of terror and America owes this tiny nation nothing less than our full support not only because God says we should but because it is the right thing for all who love freedom and democracy. Strength is the only card recognized when dealing with Arabs at the peace table.
If America allows Muslims to gain strong footholds in America as they have done in Europe and elsewhere, we will soon be experiencing what Israel has been fighting for decades. America, too, will soon be on the front lines in the war on terror. U.K. leadership has actually held serious discussion about incorporating Sharia law along side British law. This same consideration may be just around the corner for America if she fails to support Israel and put an end to radical Islam before it is too late. Do we want shopping on the internet for the latest fashion statement to mean looking for the latest shade of black for a new Burka? Speak out now or forever hold your peace.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
This past November the American people elected a new president. Everyone was looking for ‘change, change and more change.’ I was one of them but the change I was looking for was a thread of hope that someone seeking the Office of President of the United States would openly declare support for Israel recognizing that this tiny democracy is America’s only friend and ally in the Middle East and right now we need all the friends we can get. Sadly, I cannot say that I found what I was looking for – hoping for.
Senator McCain said, “America needs a new direction.” Senator Obama, who is now President Obama, said America needs “fundamental change.” Does America need change? Absolutely but change solely for the sake of change is not necessarily good or right. What seems to be lacking in America is a clear understanding of where the new administration wants this “change” to take this nation. Do the American people want their country and their traditional Judeo-Christians to be “changed” or redefined?
New plans and new ideas require a careful weighing of the pros and the cons. This is essential in any successful business plan and it should also be the core process upon which the American government implements and manages itself on the micro and macro levels. A shotgun approach to problem solving is not an acceptable technique yet it seems to be the only plan in place for addressing the current financial crisis in America and the current political situation in the Middle East. Americans must remember that what happens in America is not confined to American shores. The ripple effects or, as is the case with the current economic crisis, the full force of the mighty tsunami, impacts the entire world. The same is true with the situation in the Middle East. What happens in that part of the world eventually impacts us all. “Change” eventually affects everything from the price of oil to the price of freedom.
As a super power, America has a responsibility to the world to act carefully and responsibly. America’s leaders must have a clearly defined and solid platform from which to launch any change in America and any plan for peace for Israel and the Middle East. Change simply for the sake of change is risky business if America wants to hold fast to the Bible based values articulated by America’s founding fathers in their charter documents; part of which guarantee Americans the benefit of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
In the beginning, America possessed a common, solid foundation upon which its societal norms and practices were based and they date back thousands of years to teachings found in ancient Hebrew texts. At one time America proclaimed to be “one nation under God” as stated in the Pledge of Allegiance and “in God we trusted” as stated on America’s dollar bills. From where did this idea of a country and a people centered on the worship of God come from? It came from the ancient Hebrew Scriptures but America is changing; moving away from those fundamental values which were the glue of our society and no one is saying a word. It is the same in Israel. While there is much “religion” in America just as in Israel, where are the hearts of the people? Have we grown cold? Have we turned away from God in favor of man’s ideas and manmade institutions and doctrines?
At one time the American people placed a premium upon individual as well as corporate honesty, integrity, truthfulness and hard work. America’s educational system taught students to study hard and learn well in order to secure independent and successful futures not only for their personal benefit but in order to be contributing members to society as a whole. Somewhere along the way America began to go astray. America’s vision as a nation has become blurred. It seems there is no longer a common thread uniting American society. That great “melting pot” quit blending and instead began to separate and solidify into polarizing elements. This, too, is happening in Israel with Muslims, many of whom hold Israeli citizenship, unwilling to blend with Israeli society but wanting rather to replace God’s people with Allah’s henchmen.
Did this happen overnight? No. Like a lobster being boiled alive which has no idea it is about to die, America’s decline has been gradual and is now partially manifesting itself in the current economic crisis. Greed and a “me first” attitude have slowly chipped away at America’s foundational values of fairness, honesty and personal integrity. No longer is a person’s word their bond. No longer is a handshake as binding as a signature on a contract and no longer is a good reputation valued above the possession of glitter the world has to offer. The true measure of a person’s (or a nation’s) character is not what is done when people are watching but rather what is done when no one is looking. What does this say for so many of America’s (and Israel’s) elected officials and those corporate CEOs “managing” Wall Street’s financial markets?
America now has a new president and Israel now seems to have a new prime minister. Change is taking place around the world and not just in terms of new leadership. Islam is rising at a phenomenal rate threatening to unravel the very fabric of every nation and country which has traditionally held fast to faith in God – the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Israel has been living for decades with radical Muslims threatening her destruction and the rise of Islam chipping away at Jewish culture and adding to the rising tide of anti-Semitism.
If America continues to stray from the basic, fundamental, Judeo-Christian values upon which she was established, the rise of Islam will soon be apparent in every neighborhood in America and when this happens the fundamental freedoms that Americans enjoy will be changed forever and American support for Israel will dwindle to zero. Israel is on the front lines in the world’s war of terror and America owes this tiny nation nothing less than our full support not only because God says we should but because it is the right thing for all who love freedom and democracy. Strength is the only card recognized when dealing with Arabs at the peace table.
If America allows Muslims to gain strong footholds in America as they have done in Europe and elsewhere, we will soon be experiencing what Israel has been fighting for decades. America, too, will soon be on the front lines in the war on terror. U.K. leadership has actually held serious discussion about incorporating Sharia law along side British law. This same consideration may be just around the corner for America if she fails to support Israel and put an end to radical Islam before it is too late. Do we want shopping on the internet for the latest fashion statement to mean looking for the latest shade of black for a new Burka? Speak out now or forever hold your peace.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Surviving A Kassam Bomb Blast
It’s unlikely that an American can relate, even in his or her imagination, to what life is like in Israel for those who live under a constant threat from enemies who also happen to be their neighbors. The stress of never knowing if, or when, you or a member of your family might be blown to bits by a suicide bomber or a Kassam rocket blast would drive most of us in the Western world insane. This intense stress is engraved on the faces of young and old alike who live in an environment where surviving until the next sunrise is viewed as a miracle.
The people of Israel — especially those living in southern Israel — know all too well the dreaded sound of the red alert siren. That warning, which has occurred over 8,000 times since the Gaza disengagement in 2005, sends people running in a panic and calling out, “It’s another Kassam! It’s another Kassam!” From toddlerhood onward, the people of southern Israel know that when they hear the red alert warning blaring over their public address systems, they have only about 20 seconds, at best, to reach a safe shelter.
When the bomb finally hits the ground and explodes, its deadly contents and the shrapnel from the bomb itself, spew in every direction tearing through steel vehicles and concrete walls and ripping through flesh and bone like a warm knife through butter. The case-hardened steel nails often packed inside of these bombs are more likely than not coated in rat poison. Therefore, if the impact from the shrapnel doesn’t kill, the rat poison will enter the bloodstream of its victims and finish off the job, horribly and painfully.
The physical, emotional and psychological trauma inflicted upon those who must live under the daily threat of Kassam rockets raining down at any moment, has ravaged the people of southern Israel. There’s an entire generation of Israeli children growing up believing it’s normal to hear a siren and run for shelter. These innocent children are living without the sense of safety and security so essential to normal development and this is manifesting itself in a number of ways, one of which is an epidemic of children who stutter and who are completely withdrawn — fearful of attachment.Back in May 2006 when I accepted the challenge to promote Operation Life Shield, an organization that provides portable bomb shelters to besieged towns in Israel, I never imagined I would be one of the beneficiaries of the safety these shelters provide. A total of 50 bomb shelters have been placed in southern Israel to date, and they’ve saved my life more than once. In particular, the most recent occasion stands out.
On January 12, 2009 while in Sderot leading my Israel Always humanitarian team from America, the dreaded red alert siren began blaring its warning of an incoming Kassam rocket launched by Hamas from Gaza. At the time, the team and I were setting up a camera and other equipment to film a TV news report. I called to my cameraman to leave the camera behind and let it roll as we ran for the bomb shelter. We made it just a second or two before the blast.
My technician and I then exited the shelter, not realizing that another rocket was right on the heels of the first. When it exploded, the heat and percussion literally knocked us off our feet and slammed us into the shelter walls, knocking the wind out of me. I was sure I had broken a rib or punctured a lung, but fortunately I was only badly bruised in my upper chest and one of my lungs. Had the bomb landed only a few feet closer, my cameraman and I would have been badly injured—possibly even killed.
About 20 minutes later, I was with others looking at the site where the first blast had occurred. While examining it, another alarm sounded — and once again, everyone ran with all their might. This time, there was no shelter within quick reach, and that knowledge was terrifying. Knowing I had only about 20 seconds before impact, I started a mental countdown. With no safe place in sight, I took shelter in the entrance of a building—curling into a fetal position and praying for a positive outcome. After the blast, I was told by local residents that had the rocket landed close to the building in which I and others were huddled, the bomb blast would have shredded us — and the building — like confetti.For nearly 10 years I’ve been writing, broadcasting and giving speeches about the atrocities inflicted against Israel by radical Muslim terrorists. I’ve always felt as though I was doing a fairly good job of expressing the true feelings of the victims in Israel who had experienced suicide bombings and Kassam and Katusha rocket attacks. But now that I’ve personally experienced this horror, I know that no words can adequately describe the unrelenting trauma and pain the people of Israel have been suffering as a result of the barbaric acts of radical Islamic terrorists who are determined to wipe Israel and the Jews off the face of the earth. These terrorists are continually scheming and devising ways and methods to unleash violence upon Israel — and Israel has been facing this terror with little help from the rest of the world. Believing she must appease world leaders who have established rules of conduct for her which are much more stringent than for other nations of the world, tiny Israel somehow manages to prevail against her enemies even when she’s outnumbered and outgunned — even when those enemies have the backing of much larger countries and come at her as a collective force.
Israel has contributed vastly to the world through innumerable technological advancements in agriculture, medicine, science and the arts to name only a few. Nonetheless, the world at large continues to hate Israel — and this hatred is spreading like cancer throughout the Middle East. Radical leaders of countries such as Iran openly threaten Israel. I’m even concerned that Israel may need to steel herself for the possibility that her historic friend and ally — the United States of America — may not always be there for her.
It’s essential that Israel take the bull by the horns in defense of her people and do what’s necessary to protect her citizens from terrorist aggression just as we here in the United States would do if we were under attack from one of our neighboring countries. In my humble opinion, it’s long past time for Israel to once and for all eliminate all the Hamas leaders. Doing half the job and then pulling back only allows them to regroup and replenish their weapons.
Hopefully, the next prime minister of Israel will have what it takes to stand strong against Israel's enemies ... perhaps even to give Iran a little gift of its own: an Iranian sky filled with Israeli fighter jets knocking the legs out from under Iran’s nuclear weapons facilities, no matter how hidden they are from the eyes of the world.
Israel’s war on terrorism can be won only with an unequivocal commitment to finish the job.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
The people of Israel — especially those living in southern Israel — know all too well the dreaded sound of the red alert siren. That warning, which has occurred over 8,000 times since the Gaza disengagement in 2005, sends people running in a panic and calling out, “It’s another Kassam! It’s another Kassam!” From toddlerhood onward, the people of southern Israel know that when they hear the red alert warning blaring over their public address systems, they have only about 20 seconds, at best, to reach a safe shelter.
When the bomb finally hits the ground and explodes, its deadly contents and the shrapnel from the bomb itself, spew in every direction tearing through steel vehicles and concrete walls and ripping through flesh and bone like a warm knife through butter. The case-hardened steel nails often packed inside of these bombs are more likely than not coated in rat poison. Therefore, if the impact from the shrapnel doesn’t kill, the rat poison will enter the bloodstream of its victims and finish off the job, horribly and painfully.
The physical, emotional and psychological trauma inflicted upon those who must live under the daily threat of Kassam rockets raining down at any moment, has ravaged the people of southern Israel. There’s an entire generation of Israeli children growing up believing it’s normal to hear a siren and run for shelter. These innocent children are living without the sense of safety and security so essential to normal development and this is manifesting itself in a number of ways, one of which is an epidemic of children who stutter and who are completely withdrawn — fearful of attachment.Back in May 2006 when I accepted the challenge to promote Operation Life Shield, an organization that provides portable bomb shelters to besieged towns in Israel, I never imagined I would be one of the beneficiaries of the safety these shelters provide. A total of 50 bomb shelters have been placed in southern Israel to date, and they’ve saved my life more than once. In particular, the most recent occasion stands out.
On January 12, 2009 while in Sderot leading my Israel Always humanitarian team from America, the dreaded red alert siren began blaring its warning of an incoming Kassam rocket launched by Hamas from Gaza. At the time, the team and I were setting up a camera and other equipment to film a TV news report. I called to my cameraman to leave the camera behind and let it roll as we ran for the bomb shelter. We made it just a second or two before the blast.
My technician and I then exited the shelter, not realizing that another rocket was right on the heels of the first. When it exploded, the heat and percussion literally knocked us off our feet and slammed us into the shelter walls, knocking the wind out of me. I was sure I had broken a rib or punctured a lung, but fortunately I was only badly bruised in my upper chest and one of my lungs. Had the bomb landed only a few feet closer, my cameraman and I would have been badly injured—possibly even killed.
About 20 minutes later, I was with others looking at the site where the first blast had occurred. While examining it, another alarm sounded — and once again, everyone ran with all their might. This time, there was no shelter within quick reach, and that knowledge was terrifying. Knowing I had only about 20 seconds before impact, I started a mental countdown. With no safe place in sight, I took shelter in the entrance of a building—curling into a fetal position and praying for a positive outcome. After the blast, I was told by local residents that had the rocket landed close to the building in which I and others were huddled, the bomb blast would have shredded us — and the building — like confetti.For nearly 10 years I’ve been writing, broadcasting and giving speeches about the atrocities inflicted against Israel by radical Muslim terrorists. I’ve always felt as though I was doing a fairly good job of expressing the true feelings of the victims in Israel who had experienced suicide bombings and Kassam and Katusha rocket attacks. But now that I’ve personally experienced this horror, I know that no words can adequately describe the unrelenting trauma and pain the people of Israel have been suffering as a result of the barbaric acts of radical Islamic terrorists who are determined to wipe Israel and the Jews off the face of the earth. These terrorists are continually scheming and devising ways and methods to unleash violence upon Israel — and Israel has been facing this terror with little help from the rest of the world. Believing she must appease world leaders who have established rules of conduct for her which are much more stringent than for other nations of the world, tiny Israel somehow manages to prevail against her enemies even when she’s outnumbered and outgunned — even when those enemies have the backing of much larger countries and come at her as a collective force.
Israel has contributed vastly to the world through innumerable technological advancements in agriculture, medicine, science and the arts to name only a few. Nonetheless, the world at large continues to hate Israel — and this hatred is spreading like cancer throughout the Middle East. Radical leaders of countries such as Iran openly threaten Israel. I’m even concerned that Israel may need to steel herself for the possibility that her historic friend and ally — the United States of America — may not always be there for her.
It’s essential that Israel take the bull by the horns in defense of her people and do what’s necessary to protect her citizens from terrorist aggression just as we here in the United States would do if we were under attack from one of our neighboring countries. In my humble opinion, it’s long past time for Israel to once and for all eliminate all the Hamas leaders. Doing half the job and then pulling back only allows them to regroup and replenish their weapons.
Hopefully, the next prime minister of Israel will have what it takes to stand strong against Israel's enemies ... perhaps even to give Iran a little gift of its own: an Iranian sky filled with Israeli fighter jets knocking the legs out from under Iran’s nuclear weapons facilities, no matter how hidden they are from the eyes of the world.
Israel’s war on terrorism can be won only with an unequivocal commitment to finish the job.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)