Middle East Archives - Page 26 of 26

January 16, 2013 By Olivier Melnick 3 Comments

The Two Sides of Philo-Semitism!

The world has survived the demise of the Mayan Calendar and the holiday season, yet I am still unclear on which was actually more dangerous to humanity. As we enter a new year as well as a second term for President Obama, I believe that the United States is about be faced with some decisions that could affect us and the rest of our world community for years to come.
The global financial crisis continues to take us down what appears to be an economic drain with no end in sight but the total collapse of western civilization. But lest I am ONLY accused of being somewhat negative, allow me to also continue with the dispensing of my usual leitmotif about the blessing and cursing of Israel and the Jewish people and its consequences (Genesis 12:3).
In France, where I was for the last three weeks, there is a period of time between Christmas and the new year known as la trêve des confiseurs or “the sweets shops truce”when it is considered highly uncouth to approach any serious or difficult subject of any kind in the public arena. So, by virtue of this yearly truce started in 1875, the subject of antisemitism was not on anybody’s list. The reality of course, is that antisemitism never takes a break.
I believe that 2013 will see a continued increase in antisemitic acts both verbally AND physically all around the world. I also believe that now more than ever is the perfect time to STAND WITH ISRAEL when most of the world will stand and speak against her. The liberal bias against my people will not stop, rather, it will increase. Islamists will renew their common goal to eradicate Israel and for the most part, the rest of the planet will switch their TV sets to the newest reality show because let’s face it, “real” news about the middle- east (if even available) is too depressing!
Fortunately for Israel, there are still some decent people, albeit in decreasing numbers, who care enough to take a stand and speak up in her defense. These people display the opposite of antisemitism, known as “philo-semitism”. The word philo is Greek for “having an affinity or preference for”. To be philo-semitic thus refers to a person or organization that will display love and care for Israel and /or the Jewish people. So, it’s all good right? Philo-semitic people are the friends of the Jews after all, so what could be wrong?
Technically, the word describes a very positive attitude towards Israel and the Jewish people, but is it possible that there are two sides to philo-semitism? This requires us to take a closer look at philo-semitic people’s motives.

The good side of philo-semitism
While in Paris, I recently lectured about the French village of Le Chambon sur Lignon in central France where about 5,000 villagers (most of them descendants of French Huguenots) saved about 5,000 jewish kids from the Nazi death machine. I even had the privilege of meeting Armand Laferrère, the grandson of a Parisian Huguenot who sent many of these kids down to Le Chambon.
When asked why they did what they did, the villagers of Le Chambon all gave a similar answer, something like “it was the most natural thing to do”. They also understood from the Bible that the Jews were the chosen people of God and that as such they had to be treated with the utmost respect and much love, WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED! To the villagers, they were human beings first and Jews second.
When expressed properly, philo-semitism should be an unconditional love of the Jewish people as human beings AND because they have a special place in God’s eyes (Zechariah 2:8). Additionally, if displayed ethically, philo-semitism should never cause one to turn a blind eye on any injustice caused by Israel or the Jewish people. That is pretty much black and white when you think about it! Yet there is another side to philo-semitism that I find hypocritical at best and potentially lethal at worse.

The bad side of philo-semitism
It is one thing to have a special place in our hearts for Israel and the Jewish people, it is another thing to be interested in Israel simply from an eschatological perspective (eschatology is the study of the end times). Unfortunately, many Christians’ understanding of Israel and the Jewish people, even though it is a biblical one, is also an eschatological one, and that can possibly create a very unhealthy agenda.
Too many Christians visit Israel or the “Holy Land” with biblical lenses that are slightly out of focus. Their farsightedness forces them only look at Israel and the Jewish people from a biblical/historical perspective and in the process, they can miss the fact that modern Israel (as different as it might be from their expectations) is a real country, with real people facing some real issues daily.
These believers need corrective lenses to help them see Israel today and support the Jewish people for who they are!
Additionally, way too many Christians only see Israel eschatologically. In other words, modern Israel is a fulfillment of prophecy and one of the key components in the Second Coming of Yeshua after two thirds of Israel is destroyed during the bloody carnage known as the Great Tribulation (Zechariah 12:10, 13:9, Romans 11:26, Jeremiah 31:31-34).
While all this is true biblically and gives us and Israel a glorious future to look forward to, Israel absolutely cannot be used as the catalyst for the Second Coming of Yeshua.

Instead, all those who have put their trust in Yeshua for their present life and their awesome future should look at Israel and the Jewish people with compassion and a genuine desire to see them all join us into eternity with the God of Abraham. Isaac and Jacob. Our philo-semitism should never be motivated by Israel’s role in God’s program for the last days–as true and biblically validating as it is–but by our burden to see the lost sheep of the tribe of Israel find their Messiah before time runs out.
Yes, we should support Israel!
Yes, we should fight antisemitism!
Yes, we should anticipate a great future for those who trust Yeshua as their Savior!
and Yes we should boldly share His message of salvation with the Jewish people, but we must also remember that:

PHILO-SEMITISM IS THE OPPOSITE OF ANTISEMITISM ONLY WHEN IT IS UNCONDITIONAL, ANYTHING LESS IS DOING A DISSERVICE TO MY PEOPLE!

October 24, 2012 By Olivier Melnick 1 Comment

All Christians Are Anti-Semites! Right?

About three weeks ago, I wrote a commentary following a new request made by some Christian leaders and lead by the Presbyterian denomination, asking the US congress to investigate how Israel is using funds and possibly “violating human rights”. In it, I exposed the double-standard used by Presbyterian USA in falsely pointing the finger at Israel. But far worse was done by completely ignoring some real human rights issues such as the $450 million given to Egypt’s leadership while they clearly are tied to the Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt’s president Mohammed Mursi has since then showed his true colors as he responded “amen” to an Egyptian cleric’s prayer to destroy Israel. That’s worth 450 million of our American dollars, right?
To be sure, the letter sent to congress wasn’t only signed by Presbyterian leaders. Some Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists, Mennonites and members of the Church of Christ were quick to join the ranks of the Presbyterian USA denomination and became co-signers. It goes without saying that the statement they made garnered much criticism from the Jewish community.
The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) who has been known for being in favor of inter-faith dialogue, finally decided to sever their ties with the “Christian leadership team”. They in turn, wrote a letter back, and cancelled an upcoming interfaith meeting that they would like to see replaced by a summit of all key Church leaders and Jewish community leaders to resolve the issue and build an interfaith future together. JCPA Chair Larry Gold said it best:

“It is the right of these Christian leaders to say what they want to Congress or anyone else …And it is our right to say ‘enough is enough.’ We will continue to be vigilant against anti-Christian, anti-Muslim, and anti-Palestinian activities wherever and whenever we see them because it is the right thing to do. If only the leaders of these churches cared a fraction as much about the anti-Israel and anti-Zionist activities that have found comfortable homes in their denominations. How tragic that some of our counterparts in the churches are not only silent to this invective, they are responsible for it. ”

While the JCPA doesn’t equate the signers of the “Christian” letter with all Christians, they have no choice but to draw some conclusions of their own based on the anti-Zionist diatribes they continue to receive. I wouldn’t be surprised if the JCPA was pondering upon this recent display of anti-Israel sentiment and start believing that all Christians are anti-Semites.

I am convinced that is it always unhealthy to generalize, but this being said, the “Christian” letter to congress was very damaging on several levels:

• Damaging for Israel in general: An attempt at diverting funds away from Israel is always going to be detrimental to the only democracy of the middle east and the only ally to America from that region. When considering that the funds were earmarked for Israel’s armament and thus, defense against her neighboring enemies, it is not only damaging but it is also criminal. The accusation that Israel might have violated the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act and/or the U.S. Arms Export Control Act is simply unfounded and libelous.

• Damaging for worldwide Jews in particular”: In the last 15 years or so, we have seen a preponderance of violent acts against Jewish people around the globe, regardless of their upbringing, level of religiosity or even geographical locations, simply because of the world’s assumption than anything tied to Israel is automatically tied to all Jews. If Israel is perceived as guilty by anyone, then they must be guilty AND by proxy, all Jews are equally responsible. So there is no question in my mind that this “perceived” Israel’s violation of human rights by some Christian denominations will spill over the worldwide Jewish community. Facts simply don’t matter any more!

• Damaging for all Christians”: The mere fact that several Christian denominations have joined the ranks of the Presbyterian USA Church DOES NOT mean that all Christians are anti-Israel or anti-Semitic. It actually doesn’t even mean that all Presbyterians, Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists, Mennonites and/or members of the Church of Christ are anti-Semitic. This being said, enough damage has been done against my people in the name of “Christ” and “Christianity” over the last 2,000 years, that we certainly do not need any further anti-Israel, anti-Zionist or anti-Semitic rhetoric (I am not even convinced that we can truly separate the three anyway). As a result of a history written with blood and tears, it is unfortunately in the fabric of my people not to trust “Christians”. Followers of Yeshua of Nazareth have to work very hard to establish trust between them and their Jewish friends. Yet, followers of Yeshua need also to be followers of His written Word in which we learn that God has a special plan for Israel (Jeremiah 29:11), loves the Jewish people unconditionally (Zechariah 2:8) and will repay all people in kind based on their treatment of the Jewish people (Genesis 12:1-3).

So, not all Christians are anti-Semites but many anti-Semites are claiming to be Christians, or at least so appear to be in the eyes of my Jewish people.

I am Jewish and I have followed Yeshua of Nazareth for the last 29 years, yet I hesitate in calling myself a Christian because of the stigma that is now attached to the term. This by no means invalidates the need for all people including ALL JEWISH PEOPLE to trust Yeshua for their salvation.

Unfortunately, the reputation of all Christians just got a little worse because of a few and their anti-Semitic agenda.

September 13, 2012 By Olivier Melnick 5 Comments

President Obama’s Stance on Israel Revealed!

I have had my doubts about President Obama’s true position on Israel and the Middle-East crisis from the start of his presidency. I often felt that the messages he sent were ambiguous at best and that his relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu was less than appropriate for a head of state. But, in all fairness to both sides, and because I am not a political analyst by trade, I had to give it time, so I did.
Today, I can honestly say that I no longer have doubts about President Obama’s stance on Israel! The cat is definitely out of the bag. PRESIDENT OBAMA IS NO FRIEND OF ISRAEL, PERIOD!
Most of us remember when President Obama didn’t have the time to have dinner with Prime Minister Netanyahu after they had officially met at the White House. That was unfortunate but nevertheless plausible.
Yet, what took place in the last few days solidified my opinion of President Obama’s and his view of Israel. On September 11, Netanyahu reached out to our president and announced that he would be coming to the US later this month, hoping that the two could have a short meeting at the White House.
In light of the situation with Iran and several other of Israel’s neighbors in the Middle-East, this would appear to be an important request for a meeting of the two heads of state, if not a desperate cry for help from Netanyahu (although I am not convinced that crying for help is in Bibi’s DNA!)
The White House responded that President Obama’s schedule would not allow him to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Originally I was flabbergasted at President Obama’s decision simply because of the importance of such a meeting, for such critical time as this. Let’s face it, it is no longer a matter of months before Iran gets nuclear power but a matter of weeks. Netanyahu can hear the clock ticking in his own backyard, and it was in no uncertain terms that he rightfully declared his concern to the US when he said:
“The world tells Israel, wait, there’s still time, and I say ‘Wait for what, wait until when?’” … “Those in the international community who refuse to put a red line before Iran don’t have the moral right to place a red light before Israel.”
Of course, this sounded a bit arrogant, nevertheless, it is the absolute truth. But it doesn’t matter because our President is too busy to meet. Too busy with what? We must examine the White House’s response IN CONTEXT of current events and of President Obama’s schedule.
As it turns out, President Obama is scheduled to be on the Late Show with David Letterman on September 18 (his fifth visit on the show and his second one as a U.S. president), so, OF COURSE he doesn’t have time for Netanyahu. What a shame!
I see President Obama’s decision not to meet with Netanyahu as a major mistake from three different perspectives:

1. A Mistake of diplomatic Proportions
Never in the entire history of the United States was any Israeli prime minister ever treated that poorly or denied a meeting with the President, especially in a crisis situation such as the current one. President Obama being too busy for Mr. Netanyahu because he will appear on Letterman is a major slap in the face of Israel. But wait, could you please turn the other cheek Mr. Netanyahu while President Obama decides to meet with Muslim Brotherhood Egyptian President Morsi around the same time? PRESIDENT OBAMA IS NO FRIEND OF ISRAEL, PERIOD!

2. A Mistake of Political Proportions
In about 50 days, on November 6, the fate of America will be decided. President Obama is struggling to get the necessary votes to put him back in office for another 4 years. I agree that campaigning is critical, but not at the expense of the only real ally we have in the middle-East (unless of course he doesn’t care about Israel). He needs the Jewish vote more than ever and as it stands, many Jewish voters are not in such a hurry to put him back in office. It is going to take a lot more than a photo-op at the wailing wall to earn Jewish loyalty. Shunning Mr. Netanyahu like he just did might simply cost him the Jewish vote. PRESIDENT OBAMA IS NO FRIEND OF ISRAEL, PERIOD!

3. A Mistake of Biblical Proportions
Of course, there is an aspect that President Obama might be taking even more lightly, and that is the biblical mandate that Christians have to Israel and the Jewish people. He claims to be a Christian but has displayed very little fruit so far. His agenda for same-sex marriage and abortion most certainly sends a different message. Add to that his now obvious disdain for Israel and he might end-up finding himself on the cursing side of Genesis 12:3, not a good place to be for anybody as we are also reminded from Psalm 83:1-5 that when you go after Israel and the Jewish people, you go after God Himself!
President Obama is not literally “going after Israel” but his lack of commitment and arrogance towards Israel is rapidly paving the way for those who won’t think twice before going to war against her. Additionally, after seeing his response (of lack of) to the American embassy disaster in Libya, and the Cairo embassy incident, we ought to expect more of his true colors to come out in the weeks to come. After all, President Obama said it himself about the Muslims on page 261 of his book The Audacity of Hope: “I will stand with the them should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.” Is there ANY context where this is not saying what this is saying? PRESIDENT OBAMA IS NO FRIEND OF ISRAEL, PERIOD!

As we approach Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, I am reminded of the yearning that we Jews have to be in good terms with God. That is why every year at this season, we wish one another L’Shanah Tova Tikatev v’Taihateim, meaning “May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year”.
It was almost 30 years ago that God inscribed my name in the “Lamb’s book of life” not just for a good year but for a secured eternity in His presence, simply because I put my trust in the death and resurrection of Yeshua of Nazareth for my sins.
As we are about to embark on the most important presidential election in the history of our country, now more than ever, your name needs to be inscribed in the “Lamb’s book of life”, because nothing is more certain that the uncertainty we are currently faced with!

L’Shanah tova to all of you who love my people!

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