Footnotes by Bart Peacher 

This past year for Israel has been a raucous one. Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu has had to skillfully wend his way politically through the innuendoes of friend and foe alike. If only other political entities were so good at providing leadership, the world might be in a better place.

Netanyahu risked a lot earlier in the year vigorously contesting the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) commonly known as the Iranian Nuclear Deal¹, that was prodded through by the unyielding American president. The relationship between the United States and Israel was contentious at best and arguably made worse by the Prime Minister accepting an official invitation to speak before the U.S. Congress to share his insights about the Iranian Deal.

Internal politics aside, Israel is making do with the best a democratic government can offer. It upholds basic fairness for all citizens alike regardless of religion, race or creed. Like any democratic country the government makes hard decisions and at other times, concessions, to various groups and agencies to improve evenhandedness in policy.

There are other countries which have the same issues of national sovereignty as Israel but fortunately for them they do not have double standards imposed on them as does Israel by the European Union, the United Nations, radical Muslims and academics all who seem to live in another world.

A towering problem for Israel this year was the pretend disruption of the status quo on the Temple Mount. The lies and fabrications of Muslim radicals are not worthy of comment because of the clear facts seen on videos and in photographs. United States Congressmen, pastors and others have personally observed the intimidation and false accusations of radical Muslims. After all, if what the Muslims contend is true then why do they not want security cameras in place to film any alleged disruption of the status quo?

Palestinian radicalism has led to stabbings and the utilization of vehicles to plow down many innocent people in Israel causing widespread killings and injuries; that these criminals are as young as eleven years old speaks to the brainwashing of once innocent Palestinian children by government led officials and even their own parents who, themselves, are encouraged to be anything but peacemakers.

How is Israel to handle such scandalous, vicious attacks which can occur anywhere and at any time? The world is watching because it knows this same horror may soon happen in other countries as is likely on the way.

At a time in history not seen since Israel’s rebirth, the entire world is trying to figure out the agenda of the American president who has misplaced the world’s trust and American allegiance to its allies – especially Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu, like all world leaders, has had to move on in his plans for the future both with and without the United States. Other countries are doing the same.

Israel, along with countries which previously had nothing to do with the Jewish state, are broaching alliances in several sectors of government. These are noteworthy as Israel moves into the unpredictable future.

On another note, the Jewish-Christian relationship² is better than it has ever been in two thousand years. Forward looking rabbis presented a statement in November recognizing the positive theological and attitudinal changes by Christians toward the Jewish people. The Catholic Church further clarified its stance in December recognizing the Christian church’s error of Replacement Theology which is the false belief that the church has replaced the Jews and Israel. Many Christian denominations have been teaching this false doctrine for years. Both Jews and Christians are recognizing that we share more in common than previously thought which hopefully will open the doors for real collegiality and unwavering unity.

There is more to be done, but significant strides have been achieved by the Jewish State of Israel as promised by the G-d of Israel. If the G-d’s Word in the Bible is a true indication of G-d’s love for Israel, and G-d’s Word is definitely true, then it would be best for all foreign officials and countries to beware not to hurt, touch or try to divide the “apple of His eye.”

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