Be a Friend to Israel

I read recently that “Jewish support for the President (Obama) is plummeting.”

This is interesting, and entirely predictable considering that the current administration has shown a great deal of opposition to Israel’s interests in the Middle East.

Is Israel important? In my opinion, the answer is “Yes.”

I have in my office a portrait of Harry S. Truman, former President of the United States. The portrait hangs for a couple of reasons, but first and foremost is this: The United States was the first country to recognize the independent state of Israel in 1948 and Truman was the President who made it possible. Since that day, Israel has been a solid ally and partner with The United States in opposing Communist tyranny around the world. Today it stands as an opponent of Islamic extremism – and has plenty of experience in battling this foe. Our nation can learn from Israel.

What policies have our current administration pursued that has so disappointed the Jewish population? For starters, President Obama has stated his desire to see Jerusalem divided (a city united under Jewish rule since the 1967 War). He has advocated having Israel give back to the Palestinians the strategically located West Bank – the same Palestinians who refuse to discuss peace negotiations with Israel. Iran proceeds to develop nuclear power, and presumably weapons, with the stated intention of blowing Israel off the map and barely a word is heard about this very real and imminent threat. President Obama also has discouraged Israel from launching a preemptive strike against Iran’s nuclear sites. Most chilling, however, is that the Obama administration has now begun trying to force Israel to disclose and then dismantle its defensive nuclear weapons, which Israel denies possessing. (Hint-hint: the President would not be urging the dismantling of non-existing weapons).

This has demoralized the American-Jewish population. On April 15, Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, sent a letter to President Obama. In this letter, criticism was leveled against the present American administration for beginning to turn against Israel. “Why does the thrust of this Administration’s Middle East rhetoric seem to blame Israel for the lack of movement on peace talks? After all, it is the Palestinians, not Israel, who refuse to negotiate.”

Apparently, having read the polls and letter, and having gotten an earful from New York Senator Charles Schumer, the President has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House. This “charm offensive” as it is called by political watchers, is intended to repair some of the damage caused in the American-Israeli relationship.

This type of news is disturbing to any student of the Bible. One of the most dramatic aspects of the Bible, compared to other religious volumes, is the large amount of prophecy contained in its pages. Some of this prophecy was fulfilled in earlier days – centuries after being first recorded – and its fulfillment is remarkable. The virgin birth of Christ, for example, was prophesied by Isaiah over 700 years before fulfillment. Or Israel as a nation being dispersed among many nations, and then restored.

What does the Bible say about Israel? Plenty! There is a future for Israel. Basic to our understanding of prophecy regarding the nation Israel is this: God told Abram, the father of the Jewish nation, “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you” (Genesis 12:3). The principle is clear. History has demonstrated repeatedly its truth. The friends of Israel will prosper. The enemies of Israel will suffer.

Our nation needs to …
be a friend to Israel.