Israel's Critical Security Needs for a Viable Peace

While I believe that Israel and the Palestinians need to agree on peace between themselves, this video shows the strategic problems for Israel in going back to the 1967 Armistice Lines. This video makes a good argument for its case. One can argue that if true peace comes, there is no need for what this video proposes. On the other side, if there is true peace between them, the Palestinians will understand Israel's need for security. This video graphically shows the problems whether you agree with the conclusions or not.

The Real Palestinian Traitors

Is it my Jewish – Western or Judeo – Christian values? Khaled Abu Toameh must be lost in the wilderness. As an off-shoot of a quote from former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir who said, “We will have peace with the Arabs when they love their children more than they hate us.” When the Palestinians care more about their own people rather than stealing the world’s generous donations, there will be a chance for peace. Khaled’s lone voice does not give me confidence that the situation will change. But one voice is hugely better than none. Maybe we will see other Palestinians take up his call.

In his article, Mr. Toameh really nails the problem of corruption. Here is an excerpt from the article. If you are interested in the entire article, I have put the link below.

The real traitors are those who established another corrupt dictatorship in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and stole billions of dollars of international aid that was supposed to improve the living conditions of their people.

The real traitors are those who built a casino for the Palestinians instead of building them a hospital and a school.

The real traitors are those who are trying to silence journalists and reformists who want to see a better life for their people.

To view the entire article, go to: http://www.hudsonny.org/2010/05/the-palestinians-the-real-traitors.php

Khaled Abu Toameh (born 1963) is an “Israeli-Arab-Muslim-Palestinian” journalist and documentary filmmaker. He is the West Bank and Gaza correspondent for the Jerusalem Post and U.S. News and World Report, and has been the Palestinian affairs producer for NBC News since 1988. His articles have appeared in The Sunday Times, Daily Express and many others.

See his Wikipedia bio at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khaled_Abu_Toameh

Pentagon to Troop-Killing Superbugs: Resistance is Futile

I do not know how worried most people are about the new superbugs that have found ways to overcome our most powerful anti-biotics. Historically before penicillin bacteria were a very significant factor in causing death. Our world population exploded once these new cures were found. Like most living organisms, bacteria has found ways to counter anti-biotics and today we are faced with an enormous problem. If this research is accurate and a new system of defense has been found, our Defense Department needs to be congratulated. Separately, I see from one of the comments that there maybe a chance that we have also found a means of destroying viruses.

Here is the link to the article if you are interested:
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/05/pentagon-to-troop-killing-superbugs-resistance-is-futile/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+wired/index+(Wired:+Index+3+(Top+Stories+2))&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

Christians United for Israel Sunday

I want to talk about miracles. I read a story a long time ago that I want to give credit for to Rabbi Harold Kushner in his book, To Life. My problem is that I do not have the book with me and so cannot find the specific quote. I hope that my attribution is correct but if it is not I hope that the correct author will accept my apology. Plus, I am butchering the story. At least maybe you will understand the message.

When the Jews were crossing the Red Sea, Sholmo and Haim were pushing a cart. God had split the sea and the walls of water were on both sides of them. All that they could do was complain about pushing this cart through the mud and how much mud was getting on their sandals and clothing.

Rather than see and accept the miracle that was happening all around them, they could not break out of their self-centeredness. Having just been freed from slavery, they could only see trauma not miracles. Has the effect of centuries of inhuman treatment and the Holocaust at the hands of Christians in Europe blinded us from miracles?

Today, Christians United for Israel is having a day of prayer and support for the State of Israel. Thousands of churches and hundreds of thousands or maybe millions of Christians are standing up to be counted for their support of the Jewish state. Isn’t this a miracle? For how many centuries would our people cried for such support? Today, we would rather think that these people are anti-Semitic or have some other agenda. I say that we need to wake up and say thank you for their help.

I close with a couple of attachments. Please click on them and watch the video and read the article.

The first is a video by Pastor John Hegee of CUFI. The video is entitled, Christians United for Israel Sunday 2010 - A message from Pastor John Hagee

The second is an article written by Dennis Prager on the Conservative Website, Townhall.com. The article is entitled, Obama, Israel and the Genesis Prediction.

http://townhall.com/columnists/DennisPrager/2010/04/20/obama,_israel_and_the_genesis_prediction

Like this blog and most things I put up, I do not expect everyone to agree with my views. I hope, no really I pray that you find my Random Thoughts at least provocative enough to think about them. I would appreciate any comments.

Christians United for Israel

My mind is in a whirl. The past three weeks have been soul changing. Much of the foundation on which my religious education was based has been shattered. If anything, my faith in Judaism, Israel and the Jewish people has strengthened. Is it not strange that this is the result of Christian support? And I believe that they would celebrate if they knew.

A little over two weeks ago, several of us from Sioux Falls attended “A Night to Honor Israel” at the Living Word Christian Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I went to a similar event about three years ago and was moved then as well. Pastor Hammond really knows how to put on a great production. As you may have seen by an earlier post, the featured speaker this year was Dennis Prager. I wish more Jews could have been there to hear Dennis and feel the warmth for Israel and the Jewish community at that church. I was moved.

Dick Lewin, Dennis Prager & Stephen Rosenthal at A Night to Honor Israel in Minneapolis.

Since that event, I read Standing with Israel, by David Brog. David is the Executive Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI). It is noteworthy that David is Jewish and was the Chief of Staff to Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania. This book is well worth the time to read. David, while Chief of Staff, was curious as to why Evangelical Christians are so Pro-Israel. His book goes into great historical detail with the explanation. Many things I did not know about Christian theology, David explained. A couple of interesting side points were that an evangelical Christian was responsible for Theodore Herzl meeting with Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany. The Kaiser gave official recognition of the Zionist movement at its very beginning. British Foreign Secretary Lord Arthur Balfour and the British Prime Minister Lloyd George were bible literalists. They believed that the Promised Land still belonged to the Jews. They were responsible for the Balfour Declaration. I was moved.

Pastor Michael Bang, South Dakota CUFI State Chair & John Summerville, Regional Director for CUFI

This past Thursday, Christians United for Israel for South Dakota in Sioux Falls organized their first meeting. Pastors Michael and Vicki Bang did an outstanding job. Carol and I attended the luncheon for pastors and the evening meeting for the public. Like the meeting in the Twin Cities, I cannot express how welcomed, as Jews, we felt. At both events, I saw people whom I have known for some time that I had no idea were Pro-Israel. John Summerville, the Midwest Region Representative of CUFI, gave exceptional presentations at both meetings. I was moved.

I was raised to be skeptical of Christians. Because of our last 2000 years of history, I grew up believing that most Christians are anti-Semitic. They base their belief on scripture that God gave the land of Israel to the Jews and that those who bless Jews will be blessed and those who curse Jews will be cursed. We skeptics would think or say that these Christians do not really mean what they say. They have ulterior motives. How can they care about us when so much of their domestic agenda many Jews oppose? I know that we have difficulty understanding people of faith. Most Jews question everything including God. So we believe that anyone who has such strong faith as these Christians are not all there. You can say that I have lost my mind. I believe them. I do not blame others for being skeptical. I hope that others will use their skepticism to educate themselves. Be a skeptic from knowledge. I pray that we do not let ignorance and prejudice cloud our views. Most hatred of the Jews comes from ignorance. May those quick to scream prejudice at others' ignorance not be ignorant themselves. I admit that I have had plenty of those feelings in the past. Like many other prejudices that I have overcome, knowledge sheds the light of understanding. I hope that others open their eyes and be moved like I have been.

I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with Christians United for Israel. I hope that many of my fellow Jews will do likewise. 

Another Zionist Plot

This is a story that rarely seems to make the media. It is one that the Israel bashers do not want you to see or if you do, not to be believed. 

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The Zionist plot you never hear about: Saving Arab children 

There is a cardiac ward in a hospital in Tel Aviv where children lie on cots as doctors and nurses check charts and adjust advanced medical equipment. It is busy here. Some of the children sit up on stretchers in the halls, watching, playing with toys or taking spoonfuls of cereal from their parents.

These children are not Jewish. Indeed, none hold Israeli citizenship. Many come from China, Russia, Hungary, Yemen and other nations far from Israel. On closer inspection, you will discover that half of the children being treated here are Palestinians from the West Bank. All of these kids are receiving some of the best medical care available in the world, to heal their broken hearts.

For the rest of this short article:
http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=2996168