Evangelicals : Righteous Gentiles for Israel
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Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking before the Christians United for Israel (CUFI) organization.
Photo Credit: Amos Ben Gershom/Flash90
An exceptional individual who has been an important counterweight to the disparagers of Israel is Dr. Kenneth Meshoe, a member of the South African Parliament, president of the African Christian Democratic Party, and pastor of a South African Church. What is particularly significant about pastor Meshoe is that he, as a black South African, on a number of occasions, has put paid to the lie spread by the Palestinian narrative, that Israel is an apartheid state. At the international conference of legislators from around the world held in Budapest on October 31, 2011, Pastor Meshoe replied to the kind of fulminations published by the Electronic Intifada that Israeli actions are “the epitome of apartheid” and aim at the systematic destruction of Palestinian society. He describes those who promulgate the lie of Israel-as-apartheid as ignorant individuals who are not aware of, or who deliberately disregard, the true nature of the negative impact of apartheid on black South Africans — an experience quite different from that of Palestinians in nature and intensity. South African blacks were treated as second-class citizens and were denied basic human rights. By contrast, he points out that in Israel there are no laws discriminating against people on the basis of their color or on the basis of their religion. Palestinians have not suffered the pain of apartheid experienced by black South Africans.
Pastor Meshoe amplifies his general remarks by specific examples. He calls attention to the fact that in South Africa there were separate modes of transport for blacks and whites; there were coaches in trains only for black people, and others only for whites. Segregation was present in schools, hospitals, public places, city parks, benches, chairs, beaches. No such segregation exists in Israel.
In view of this empirical evidence why do members of some Churches and their leaders argue Israel is an apartheid state? Palestinians have used this falsehood to gain sympathy for their cause. By doing so they, and their allies in the churches as elsewhere, purportedly concerned with “Palestinian suffering,” are their own worst enemies. By maintaining the animosity against Israel, perhaps they are deliberately trying to prevent a peaceful process of negotiation to resolve the conflict.
Originally published by Gatestone Institute http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org
tell a friendAbout the Author: Michael Curtis is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Rutgers University, and author of the forthcoming book, Should Israel Exist? A sovereign nation under assault by the international community.
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2 Responses to “Evangelicals : Righteous Gentiles for Israel”
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"Chasidei Umot Ha'Olam!"
Rabbi Leon Pettyjohn
why do members of some Churches and their leaders argue Israel is an apartheid state? – because a large number of the so called Churchs have forgotten their scriptures and some even disregard the Tanach – study the Word daily and you will know Israel's place in the world and its right to exist – a light to the world and may it continue until the Messiah comes.
surprised with the aidea of apathied becouse when we see bibel such like this didn't support eventualy unlike this idea so that may GOD BLESS israel I konw also it is blessed country according the bible thank you.
"Jews in democratic countries are disproportionately disposed more than other groups to prefer the left spectrum of political and cultural affairs".
I have not noticed this to be the case in recent elections in France, the UK, and Canada.
"God maintains the Biblical covenant with the Jewish people, even though they were and are not perfect".
The only churches I'm aware of that have made statements like this are the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church, both "mainline" churches. Can the author cite an example of such a statement from an evangelical church? The largest evangelical group in the US still spends huge amounts of money to convert Jews BECAUSE they think Jews cannot find salvation outside of Jesus.
The Catholic Church also hints to the idea that the Jews maintain a covenant with God.
The Catholic Church likes to keep its theology sufficiently vague that it can in the future be interpreted in different ways. But there is no question that Vatican II represented a complete reversal in the right direction.
wasnt there a democracy below Sini…Hay Rabbi's when Eliyahu comes what's going to be left of mans rules, or all these who work against Israel, our christian familys are guilty of Holy jewish blood for generations, not having wisdom to admit it either.If The World Hates Israel It Hates G-D. I think electing a muslem as president showes who we worship now..oh our churches why talk were as weak as women now.
The Eternal City!
“Chasidei Umot Ha’Olam!”
why do members of some Churches and their leaders argue Israel is an apartheid state? – because a large number of the so called Churchs have forgotten their scriptures and some even disregard the Tanach – study the Word daily and you will know Israel’s place in the world and its right to exist – a light to the world and may it continue until the Messiah comes.
surprised with the aidea of apathied becouse when we see bibel such like this didn’t support eventualy unlike this idea so that may GOD BLESS israel I konw also it is blessed country according the bible thank you.
“Jews in democratic countries are disproportionately disposed more than other groups to prefer the left spectrum of political and cultural affairs”.
I have not noticed this to be the case in recent elections in France, the UK, and Canada.
“God maintains the Biblical covenant with the Jewish people, even though they were and are not perfect”.
The only churches I’m aware of that have made statements like this are the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church, both “mainline” churches. Can the author cite an example of such a statement from an evangelical church? The largest evangelical group in the US still spends huge amounts of money to convert Jews BECAUSE they think Jews cannot find salvation outside of Jesus.
wasnt there a democracy below Sini…Hay Rabbi’s when Eliyahu comes what’s going to be left of mans rules, or all these who work against Israel, our christian familys are guilty of Holy jewish blood for generations, not having wisdom to admit it either.If The World Hates Israel It Hates G-D. I think electing a muslem as president showes who we worship now..oh our churches why talk were as weak as women now.