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Gaza-Israeli Conflict is Stereotypical
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Dear Friends,
The war is Gaza has become a stereotype.
Hateful Moslems pour violence upon Israel and the Jews.
The world does nothing.
Israel attempts to secure peace for its citizens.
The world is first alarmed then condemning.
How many times have we seen this? How many times does the violence take a rest so the defeated side can rearm?
What we are seeing is nothing less than what is called for in the words of the Koran: "Make war on them until idolatry is no more and Allah's religion reigns supreme. If they desist Allah is cognizant of all their actions; but if they give no heed, know then that Allah will protect you. He is the noblest Helper and Protector."
In another place is reads: "When you meet the unbelievers in the battlefield strike off their heads and, when you have laid them low, bind your captives firmly. Then grant them their freedom or take ransom from them until War shall lay down her armour. Thus shall you do. Had Allah willed, He could Himself have punished them; but He has ordained it thus that He might test you, the one by the other."
It is shocking to me that Hamas wants civilian casualties on both sides. They aim for Israeli civilians and intentionally put their rocket launchers among civilians hoping for civilian casualties among Palestinians so they can get good TV pictures to sway an uninformed world.
Israel goes to great lengths to avoid civilian casualties but inevitably incurs some.
Hamas goes to great lengths to inflict them and celebrates when they kill civilians.
How does one come to a compromise with such ideas of relationship? You can't. This kind of spirit must be defeated and rendered harmless.
I have appreciated the President's apparent steadfastness in our support of Israel and fixing the blame firmly on Hamas rockets and hatred. I hope I am not seeing a weakening of that by means of our State Department.
The world in general and Israel in particular cannot afford another peace like the one with Hizballah in Lebanon. My hope is that the U.S. will not pressure Israel into stopping until the cancer of Hamas is removed from Gaza. I worry that Hamas will try to hold out until a new Administration comes into power with the hope of striking a better deal through that Administration.
Israel has faced this kind of hatred and violence almost without interruption since the very first day they became a nation again. Personally, I think the hatred is demonic in origin. It manifests itself in a lot of political, military, and cultural facades but at its core the hatred of the Jews is nothing less than demonic.
Further, the same spirit that hates the Jews also hates those who believe in Jesus. Jews and Christians face a common threat. We should appreciate the fact that Israel is helping in this world-wide battle.
If you are inclined to want to help Israel, I have a
few suggestions:
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Friends of the Israel Defense Forces
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I have had the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces present programs at our church and we have supported them. Their local address is PO Box 3086, Kirkland, WA 98083. You can visit
their website at http://israelsoldiers.org.
They help Israel's soldiers by
operating Field Rest Tents where soldiers can relax and gather
strength. They distribute warm clothing and heating devices, deliver
thousands of Personal Care Packages, provide cell phone chargers so
soldiers can contact their loved-ones, assist wounded soldiers during
the rehabilitation process, sponsor R&R days and SPIRIT weeks for
the soldiers, and support families of fallen soldiers.
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American Friends of Magen David Adom
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 Another good group is American Friends of Magen David Adom. Magen David
Adom is Israel's emergency first responders and blood service. They
respond to every call for help, stabilizing the wounded and evacuating
them to the hospital. They have sent an additional 200 ambulances, an
armored ambulance and paramedic teams to the southern region which is
being hit by Qassam, Grad and Katyusha rockets. MDA's paramedics are in
need of bullet proof vests, helmets, and portable bomb shelters and
have asked for help with these.
To help fund this effort, please go
to www.afmda.org to make a donation
online. The people of Israel have the right to live in peace without
the constant barrage of rockets into their homes and schools. |
Bridges for Peace
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Another organization that I respect greatly is Bridges for Peace. They
are a Jerusalem-based, Bible-believing Christian organization
supporting Isr.ael and building relationships between Christians and
Jews worldwide through education and practical deeds expressing God's
love and mercy. Their local representative is Reverend Ed Smelser, a long
time friend. Their website is www.bridgesforpeace.com.
Even though we can't solve all the problems, I do believe a gift to one
of these organizations would go a long ways toward supporting Israel.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration.
Yours for the Kingdom,
Pastor Joe
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| Dr. Joseph B. Fuiten is the senior pastor of Cedar Park Church in Bothell, Washington, and he is the former president of Positive Christian Agenda. Currently, Pastor Fuiten serves on the Board of Directors for the Family Policy Institute of Washington, an associate organization of Focus on the Family.
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